Important Bird AND BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – bACKGROUND

BACKGROUND OTTO PFISTER OTTO

More than 1,200 species of birds are found in India, including some spectacular species such as the Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus INDIA: GENERAL INFORMATION

ndia is situated between latitudes 8° 4’ and 37° N, and (October–March). However, in south India, the winter is Ilongitudes 68° 7’ and 97° 25’ E, and is bounded on the not as cold as in north India. It is marked by clear skies, southwest by the Arabian Sea and on the southeast by the hot days, and cool nights. This kind of weather prevails Bay of Bengal. To the north and northeast lies the mighty from September to March. The southwest monsoon sets Himalayan range. To the west lies Pakistan and to the in over Kerala in June, progresses towards the north and east, Bangladesh and Myanmar. In the north, Tibet, China, envelops the entire country by the end of July. The eastern Nepal, and Bhutan share international boundaries with coastal regions – the coasts of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil India. To the south Sri Lanka shares the maritime boundary Nadu – experience the northeast monsoon between October and is separated from India by a narrow channel of the Bay and November. Along the east coast, this period is marked of Bengal formed by the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar by cyclones due to severe atmospheric depressions in the (Mathew 2003). Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean that move towards the India is one of the largest countries of the world and mainland at a high speed, causing widespread destruction covers an area of about 3,287,263 sq. km. It extends 3,214 to life and property. The west coast rarely experiences km from north to south and 2,933 km from east to west, such cyclonic effects. The annual average rainfall in India with a land frontier of 15,200 km and a 7,516 km coastline varies from a low of 50 mm in the extreme western parts . Mountain ranges such as the Himalaya in the north, the of Jaisalmer bordering Pakistan, to a high of 11,000 mm Aravallis in the west, the central highlands of the Vindhya in the Cherrapunjee region of Meghalaya. Similarly, the and Satpura ranges and the Eastern and Western Ghats in temperature also shows high variability – more than 50 °C the eastern and western parts of the peninsula , comprise in the Thar desert to minus 50 °C at Siachen in Jammu & several submontane tracts of varied lengths and heights Kashmir. that support diverse flora and fauna. The first census of human population in India was India is a vast country with varied climatic conditions. conducted in 1872. Since then, 1881 onwards, this exercise It has three climatic seasons in a year: monsoons (June– has been carried out once in 10 years. At the time of India’s September: southwest monsoon; October–November: Independence in 1947, the population was 340 million. By northeast monsoon), summer (April–July) and winter 1981, it rose to 685 million and by 1990, to 844 million.

1 Important Bird AND BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – bACKGROUND

Compared to 1971, the population had increased by 25%. In world’s flora and 6.5% of the world’s fauna. On a larger 1971, the human density was 216 per sq. km, with a high of taxonomic scale we can say India has about 423 species of 655 in Kerala and a low of 8 in Arunachal Pradesh. According mammals, 868 species of amphibians and reptiles, 1,234 to the 1991 census, the average human density had further species of birds and about 45,000 species of plants of the risen to 273 persons per sq. km. By 2001, India’s population world. India has four out of the 34 globally identified had crossed the one billion mark! In 2011, India’s population biodiversity hotspots: Himalaya, Indo-Burma, Western was 1.2 billion. The population has trebled in the 66 years Ghats, and Nicobar island (part of the Sundaland hotspot). A of India’s Independence, with an annual rise of about 18 large range of species inhabit the country’s various habitats, million people. The projected human population growth by from its crowded and colourful coral reefs to the icy alpine 2050 is between 1.5 and 1.6 billion. grasslands. We have very little information on the biology of the vast majority of these organisms. There are many species Biodiversity that have not even been named by science. Their value to India, a mega-diversity country, is among the top ten India’s human population, as sources of useful genes, as food nations endowed with the world’s richest biodiversity. Its or medicine, or as essential parts of ecological systems, has immense biological diversity represents about 7% of the hardly been studied.

VEGETATION CHARACTERISTICS WITHIN VARIOUS BIOGEOGRAPHIC ZONES OF INDIA By Dr. G.S. Rawat

The Indian region exhibits an enormous variation i. The Indian Trans-Himalaya in climate, geomorphology, and surface topography. On The Indian Trans-Himalaya, also known as the Indian the basis of physiography it is divisible into three zones, cold desert, support very sparse vegetation. Based on the namely the Himalayan region, the Indo-Gangetic Plains physiognomy, three categories of natural vegetation are and the Indian Peninsula. Each of these zones can be clearly discernible namely, Alpine Arid Scrub (AAS) or further classified based on the relief features and patterns Steppe formations, Alpine Arid Pastures (AAP), and Marsh of soil and water regimes. This has manifested in a great Meadows (MM). The AAS vegetation is dominated by the deal of floral and faunal diversity and interesting patterns Artemisia-Caragana, Hippophae-Myricaria, and Ephedra of vegetation formations. Champion & Seth (1968) have gerardiana communities. The AAPs are largely dominated classified India’s vegetation into seven major groups, 16 by graminoids, while the MMs have a preponderance of sub-groups and over 150 sub-types and seral stages. This sedges. The plant community structure and composition classification takes physiognomy, floristics, as well as local are strongly influenced by the microtopography and edaphic and biotic factors into consideration, hence it is used soil moisture. Accordingly, various habitats such as widely by foresters as well as ecologists. The description of moist slopes, riverine areas, sandy plains, field borders, wildlife habitats including the characterisation of major valley bottoms, rubble slopes, scree slopes, and marsh biomes and Important Bird Areas (IBAs) can best be done meadows exhibit distinct formations and communities. using Champion & Seth’s categories. The characteristic species in the Trans-Himalaya are the This chapter deals with a general description of the species of Saussurea, Potentilla, Corydalis, Astragalus, vegetation within the various biogeographic zones of and Oxytropis. In general, the Indian Trans-Himalaya India. Although Rodgers & Panwar (1988) and Rodgers is poorer in floral diversity compared to the moist alpine et al. (2000), have given broad characteristics of various meadows of the Greater Himalaya. A small portion of regions, major biomes and habitats within these zones need the Indian Trans-Himalaya is represented in the Central further characterisation in terms of vegetation types and Himalaya (Sikkim), which is relatively higher in terms of community composition. It has been noted that at least 24 species diversity compared to the northwestern region. distinct physiognomic units (including Champion & Seth’s This region is characterised by low primary productivity, categories) are required to broadly describe the major harsh climatic conditions, and specialised growth forms biomes and biogeographic regions of India. These types, (Kachroo et al. 1977). along with the characteristic floral elements, are shown in the Table on page xxx . In addition, a large number ii. The Himalayan Region of herbaceous formations and associations at the local The Himalayan region is spread over an area of level characterise the habitats for various faunal groups approximately 210,626 sq. km within India. This region as including birds. a whole is regarded as an important biodiversity hotspot.

2 Important Bird AND BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – bACKGROUND ASAD R. RAHMANI

The cold deserts and wetlands of the Trans-Himalayas are ecologically very fragile and need imaginative conservation planning ASAD R. RAHMANI The Himalayas are famous for high cultural scenic, floral and faunal diversity

3 Important Bird AND BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – bACKGROUND

It supports a wide range of vegetation types ranging from birds. The Montane region of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh the Tropical to the Alpine types. It is home to over 8,000 bears Temperate Broadleaf Forests, Temperate Coniferous species of flowering plants and nearly 10,000 species of lower Forests, Subalpine Forests and scrub. plants. The zone above the natural treeline (c. 3,300–3,600 The Shivaliks or the sub-Himalayan zone lies within msl in the Western Himalaya and c. 3,800–4,000 msl in the the Indo-Gangetic Plains according to Rodgers & Panwar East) in the Himalaya supports alpine vegetation, which is (1988). Subtropical climate, varied topography, rich alluvial characterised by alpine scrub, meadows, moss-lichen laden soils, and intermingling of taxa from the Indo-Malayan and rocky slopes, and matted shrubs. Of all the categories, the Palaearctic regions have given rise to very high biodiversity. meadows are of considerable ecological interest due to the The major forest types according to Champion & Seth (1968) adaptability of the plant forms and the great profusion of from the west to the east along the increasing rainfall herbaceous species. The meadows are the repository of gradient include Dodonaea scrub, Subtropical Dry Evergreen valuable fodder species as well as medicinal and aromatic Forests of Olea cuspidata, Subtropical Pine Forests, plants. The alpine zone is generally separated by a distinct Northern Dry Mixed Deciduous Forest, Dry Shivalik Sal treeline characterized by birch-rhododendron (Betula utilis- Forest, Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest, Subtropical Broadleaf Rhododendron campanulatum), fir (Abies pindrow) or brown Wet Hill Forest, Northern Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forest, oak (Quercus semecarpifolia) forests. and Northern Tropical Wet-Evergreen Forest. The Shivalik At a lower elevation (1,500–3,300 msl), the major hills are best represented between the Ganga and Yamuna vegetation types in the Northwest and Western Himalaya rivers in Uttaranchal. The entire belt covers an area of c. include Himalayan Dry Temperate (Coniferous), Himalayan 40,000 sq. km, of which only <2100 sq. km falls under the Moist Temperate (Broadleaf), Temperate Grassy Slopes protected area network. Ecologically, the entire Shivalik belt (secondary formations), and secondary scrub. These habitats can be considered as a highly sensitive zone. provide breeding grounds for a large number of birds and mammals. On the south-facing, frequently burnt and iii. The Indian Desert exposed slopes there are temperate grasslands throughout The Indian Desert covers nearly 12% of the land, most of the Western Himalaya. Dachigam National Park (an IBA) which (90%) is located in western India. Biogeographically, in Kashmir represents one such grassland habitat that the Thar desert is the eastward extension of the Sahara- supports a highly threatened subspecies of the Red Deer Arabian desert system which spreads through Iran, called Hangul Cervus elaphus hanglu and several grassland Afghanistan, and Baluchistan (Rodgers & Panwar 1988). It -ul I s l am -ul M. Z afar

The Thar desert has more than 500 species of plants

4 Important Bird AND BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – bACKGROUND DHRITIMAN M U KHERJEE

Probably less than 1% of the original semi-arid dry grasslands survive

is estimated that the Indian Desert supports c. 500 species sylvestris, Anogeissus pendula, Capparis aphylla, Crotalaria of vascular plants. Such a low species diversity compared to spp., and Salvadora spp. Euphorbia spp. and several other the other biogeographic zones is due to harsh climatic factors xerophytic species are common in the rocky habitats. The coupled with intense biotic pressure (anthropogenic factors). soil is usually bare, although some grassy growth may Despite uniformly adverse climatic conditions, the deserts appear during the short monsoon (Puri et al. 1989). The exhibit distinctive microtopographic variations and highly Kathiawar regionencompassing the Gir forest in Gujarat specialised plant communities. For example, Calligonum and the Aravalli hill ranges in eastern Rajasthan are also polygonoides and Lasiurus spp. stands are found in typical dominated by Tropical Dry Deciduous and Tropical Thorn sand dunes. Other associations are Prosopis-Ziziphus- Forests, the latter indicating semi-arid conditions. The flora Capparis, Euphorbia-Salvadora-Acacia, Capparis-Prosopis- of this zone is dominated by grasses and associated forbs, Salvadora, and Tamarix-Salvadora-Suaeda in sandy including legumes of African affinity. plains, stony and hilly areas, gravel and compact areas, and saline soils respectively (Bhandari 1990). The growth forms v. The Western Ghats of extreme arid environments include leafless perennials The Western Ghats, a chain of ancient mountains along (6% taxa), spiny and thorny species (10% taxa), hairy or the west coast of the Indian Peninsula occupies only c. 5% with trichomes (20% taxa), and with characteristic thick of India’s land area (about 132,606 sq. km), yet it harbours cuticles and sunken stomata (c. 60% taxa). nearly 27% of its total flora. The Western Ghats, with a latitudinal range of more than 10 degrees, lies more or iv. The Semi-Arid Zone less parallel to the west coast of India. Its forests are some This zone (c. 545,850 sq. km) lies between the isohyets of the best representatives of Non-Equatorial Tropical 400–1000 mm (annual) and represents a characteristic Forests in the world (Pascal 1982). Wet Evergreen Forests Savannah Woodland, Dry Deciduous, and Tropical Thorn are mostly confined to the windward side of the Western Forest zone in Western India. These vegetation types have Ghats where the rainfall exceeds 2,000 mm. By taking into been classified as Tropical Dry Deciduous and Tropical account the distribution pattern of certain characteristic Thorn Forests by Champion & Seth (1968). The open and species, which reflect the climatic variations, the forests stunted vegetation (less than 6 m in height) is dominated are further subdivided into several floristic types. All these by Acacia spp., Balanites roxburghii, Cordia myxa, Phoenix types are classified according to low (0–800 m), medium

5 Important Bird AND BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – bACKGROUND ISAAC KEHIMKAR

The Western Ghats, comprising only 5% of India’s area, harbour 27% of its total flora

(800–1,450 m) and high (> 1,400 m) elevation types. Most of Montane Evergreen Forests frequently termed Shola- of the Evergreen Forests are dominated by members of Grassland Complex. The common herbaceous elements families Lauraceae, Myrtaceae, Ebenaceae, and Annonaceae. among the grasses include Anaphalis spp., Campanula In the Nilgiri hills, which are slightly drier compared to fulgens, Cassia spp., Crotalaria notonii, Cyanotis spp., the western slopes, the forest formations are dominated Impatiens spp., Indigofera pedicillata, Justicia simplex, by the Diospyros ovalifolia-Memecylon lushingtonii-Olea Knoxia mollis, Leucas suffruticosa, Lilium neilgherrense, glandulifera communities. Other floristic elements in the Oldenlandia articularis, Polygala sibirica, Striga asiatica, region include Eurya japonica, Gaultheria fragrantissima, Viola patrinii, and Wahlenbergia gracilis. In the swampy Ilex wightiana, Mahonia leschenaultii, Photinia notoniana, pockets Commelina spp., Centella asiatica, Drosera Rapanea spp., Rhododendron nilagiricum, Rhodomyrtus peltata, Fimbristylis uliginosa, Andropogon foulksii, tomentosa, Symplocos spp., and Turpinia cochinchinensis. Anthistiria ciliata, Arundinella spp., Arundinaria villosa, Moist Deciduous forests are found mainly in the rainfall Bothriochloa pertusa, Chrysopogon orientalis, Cymbopogon zone of 1,500 mm to 1,800 mm. They are largely found spp., Eragrostis nigra, Eulalia spp., Heteropogon contortus, between the Wet Evergreen and Dry Deciduous types. The Isachne spp., Themeda spp., Tripogon bromoides, and typical elements of such forests are Dillenia pentagyna, Zenkeria elegans are found. Tabernaemontana heyneana, Lagerstroemia microcarpa, and Tectona grandis. Dry Deciduous Forests are confined vi. The Deccan Peninsula to the rain shadow areas of the Western Ghats, especially The Deccan Peninsula, the largest biogeographic zone of towards the northern parts of the Nilgiris, Palnis, and areas India, according to the classification of Rodgers & Panwar bordering the Mysore and Karnataka plateau. The typical (1988), has extensive forested tracts. The zone is relatively floristic elements in these forests areAlbizia amara, Acacia homogenous and supports various vegetation types ranging spp., Gyrocarpus jacquinii, Tectona grandis, Anogeissus from Tropical Thorn to Tropical Dry and Moist Deciduous latifolia, Pterocarpus marsupium, Terminalia alata, and a Forest. There are five biogeographic provinces within large number of grasses. this zone: Central Highlands comprising the Vindhya Areas above 1,800 msl in the Western Ghats are and Satpura hill ranges, Chota Nagpur Plateau, Eastern dominated by natural grasslands and adjacent pockets Ghats, Tamil Nadu Plains, and Karnataka Plateau.

6 Important Bird AND BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – bACKGROUND NAYAN KHANO L KAR NAYAN The Deccan still has extensive tracts of Dry Deciduous forest, important for large vertebrates

Phytogeographically, these areas are quite similar and do vii. The Gangetic Plains not exhibit high level of endemism, yet the assemblages The Gangetic Plains (c. 354,782 sq. km) include the within the sub-zones represent very characteristic ecological areas adjacent to the Terai-Bhabar tracts in Uttar Pradesh, conditions, relict vegetation patches, biotic formations, Bihar, and West Bengal. The alluvial formations are and edaphic formations. Much of the area falls under the divisible into drier Pleistocene alluvium (Bhangar), more Southern Moist Deciduous and Southern Dry Deciduous recent wet silt (Khadar), limestone predominated pebbly Forest categories of Champion & Seth (1968). These include grounds (Kankar), and elevated alluvial formations (Duar) sal and teak bearing forests, Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest of West Bengal. This area is dominated by hygrophilous without teak, and Secondary Moist Mixed Deciduous Forests grasslands and savannah woodlands. It is strongly of Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and influenced by frequent fires and floods, which deposit silt Karnataka. The thorn scrub vegetation has been described from the Himalayan foothills. Much of the area was settled by Puri et al. (1989). by man during the past two centuries, especially after the Typical species of the region, besides sal and teak, large-scale eradication of a deadly strain of malaria during are species of Acacia (A. caesia, A. catechuoides, A. the late 1950s. The prominent species of grasses in the leucophloea, A. pennata, A. racemosa), Aegle marmelos, region include Saccharum spontaneum, S. arundinaceum, Anogeissus acuminata, Bridelia retusa, Buchanania Imperata cylindrica, Cymbopogon flexuosus, and Vetiveria lanzan, Cochlospermum religiosum, Dalbergia paniculata, zizanioides. Some of the communities within these Elaeodendron glaucum, Emblica officinalis, Madhuca indica, grasslands e.g., Imperata cylindrica-Cymbopogon flexuosus, Manilkara hexandra, Pterocarpus marsupium, Terminalia are also reported to be the habitat of the threatened Bengal bellirica, Terminalia chebula, and Butea superba. A few Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis. Most of these grasslands pockets in the Eastern Ghats support Evergreen Forests are seral in nature, which ultimately give rise to climax Sal with characteristic species such as Barringtonia acutangula, Shorea robusta forest through the seral stages of Dalbergia Syzygium cumini, Ficus hispida, Melastoma malabathricum, sissoo-Acacia catechu, Ziziphus mauritiana-Butea Homonoia riparia, Terminalia arjuna, Mangifera indica, a monosperma, and Lagerstroemia parviflora among others. tree fern Cyathula spinulosa, and a gymnosperm Gnetum These forests have been categorized under the Northern ula (Rawat 1997). Moist Deciduous Forests by Champion & Seth (1968).

7 Important Bird AND BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – bACKGROUND DHRITIMAN M U KHERJEE

The Gangetic Plains have highly productive wetlands, important for people and birds

viii. The Coasts semi-aquatic/wetland ecosystems, located along the estuaries The Indian coastline (from Gujarat to Sunderbans) is c. of major rivers, characterised by salt tolerant species such as 7,500 km long. The typical coastal ecosystem coversan area ofc. Rhizophoramucronata, Bruguieragymnorhiza, Ceriopstagal, 82,813 sq. km. The area has mainly two types of vegetation, Lumnitzeralittorea, Avicenniaofficinalis, Heritieralittoralis, namely mangrove forests and dry sand dunes. However, Acanthusilicifolius,and Acrostichumaureum. Today most on the Coromandel coast there is a typical DryEvergreen of India’s mangrove vegetation is confined to certain formation close to the coast. The mangroves are essentially protected areas such as Sunderbans, Bhitarkanika, Coringa, HIRA P U NJABI HIRA The Sunderbans of India and Bangladesh are the largest mangrove forest in the world

8 Important Bird AND BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – bACKGROUND U DDIN CHO DH RY ANWAR Despite shifting cultivation (jhuming), the Northeast still has some of the most pristine forests left in India

Nelapattu, Point Calimere, and Pirotan (Marine) National Costus speciosus, Hedychium bracteatum,and Aeginetia Park (all IBAs). indica. Towards the higher elevations the characteristic The coastal sand dune vegetation is typically xerophytic, species include Lithocarpus pachyphylla, Engelhardtia with species such as Anthrocnemum indicum, Salvadora spicata, Castanopsis tribuloides, Erythrina arborescens, oleoides, and Spinifex littoreus. Major problems in these Eurya simplocina, Gmelina oblongifolia, Mahonia borealis, areas include extraction of sand, developmental projects, and Melocanna bambusoides, Dendrocalamus hamiltonii,and a plantation of exotic species such as Casuarina equisetifolia large number of other bamboos. Owing to extensive shifting and Eucalyptus spp. cultivation (jhumming) and invasion by exotic species, many ix. Northeast India of the original categories described by Champion & Seth Northeast India, including Assam Valley and the (1968) are hardly discernible in the field at present. adjacent hill ranges, exhibits a complex mosaic of vegetation types ranging from Northern Tropical Wet Evergreen to x. The Islands Montane and Wet Temperate types. The major categories The total area under ‘Islands’ within Indian territory is of forests according to Champion and Seth (1968) include c. 8,358 sq. km, of which the Andaman &Nicobar Islands the Assam Valley Tropical Wet Evergreen Forest, Cachar occupy c.8,249 sq. km and the Lakshadweep islands Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forest, Cachar Tropical Evergreen cover an area of 109 sq. km. These islands have c. 2,200 Forest, Upper Assam Valley Tropical Evergreen Forest, species of higher plants including c. 200 strict endemics. Cane Brakes, Subtropical Broadleaf Wet Hill Forest, Approximately 1,300 species are not found elsewhere in Assam Subtropical Pine Forest, Moist Bamboo Brakes, India but are found in Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Naga Hills Wet Temperate Forest, and Eastern Hollock Polynesia (Rodgers & Panwar 1988). Phytogeographically, Forest (Terminalia myriocarpa). The characteristic the Andaman & Nicobar Islands exhibit different affinities. species in the evergreen forests are Dipterocarpus While the Andamans are closely related to Myanmar and macrocarpus, Michelia doltsopa, Dipterocarpus turbinatus, Northeast India, the Nicobar Islands have closer affinities Acer laevigatum, Terminalia chebula, Schima wallichii, with Indonesia. The latter group of islands have no Garcinia pedunculata, Alseodaphne owdenii, Dillenia dipterocarps, but a higher diversity of tree ferns and palms. indica, Castanopsis tribuloides, Aglaia hiernii, Artocarpus Champion & Seth (1968) have classified the Andaman & heterophyllus, Phrynium capitatum, Amomum linguiforme, Nicobar forests into six types. Of these, three are of the

9 Important Bird AND BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – bACKGROUND -ul I s l am -ul M. Z afar

Original primary forest is intact in some of the tribal reserves of Andaman and Nicobar Islands ASAD R. RAHMANI

The Western Ghats is one of the biodiversity hotspots of the world

10 Important Bird AND BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – bACKGROUND

Major vegetation types of India and characteristic floral elements

Sr. No. Vegetation Type and Characteristic/Dominant Species Geographical Location

1. TWE Andaman and Nicobar Islands Dipterocarpus spp., Calophyllum soulattri, Mangifera sylvatica, Myristica sp., Calamus palustris

2. TWE (Western Ghats) Dipterocarpus indicus, Humboldtia brunonis, Cullenia exarillata, Ficus spp., Palaquium ellipticum, Myristica malabarica

3. TWE (Northeast India) Dipterocarpus macrocarpus, Artocarpus chaplasha Livistona jenkinsiana, Ficus spp., Alpinia spp., Phrynium sp.

4. TSE (Transitional) Ficus spp., Dillenia pentagyna, Garuga pinnata, Toona ciliata

5. TMD (Moist Teak) Indian Peninsula Tectona grandis, Xylia xylocarpa, Terminalia crenulata

6. TMD (Moist Sal) Upper Gangetic Plains Shorea robusta, Terminalia alata, Dalbergia sissoo, Acacia catechuoides

7. TMD (Peninsular Sal) Deccan Plateau Shorea robusta, Madhuca indica, Syzygium operculatum, Symplocos sp.

8. Mangroves Coastal region Heriteria fomes, Avicennia marina, Nypa fruticans

9. TDD (Dry Teak) Deccan Plateau Tectona grandis, Terminalia alata, Anogeissus latifolia

10. TDD (Southern) Semi-arid Albizia amara, Hardwickia binata

11. TDD (Savannah) Semi-arid Prosopis cineraria, Ziziphus mauritiana, Butea monosperma

12. TDD (Northern) Semi-arid Acacia senegal, Anogeissus pendula, Ziziphus mauritiana

13. TTF (Southern) Deccan Acacia spp., Carissa opaca, Ixora sp.

14. TTF (Northern) Semi-arid Ziziphus nummularia, Salvadora oleoides

15. TDE East Coast Manilkara hexandra, Chloroxylon swietenia, Strychnos nux-vomica

16. MWT (Shola) Western Ghats Gordonia obtusa, Meliosma arnottiana, Schefflera spp.

17. SBH (Eastern Himalayan Foothills and NE Hills) Lauraceae, Meliaceae, Annonaceae, Dendrobium spp., Tree ferns

18. SPF Himalayan region Pinus roxburghii, Themeda anathera

19. HWT Eastern Himalaya Magnolia griffithii, Altingia exelsa, Lauraceae, Meliaceae, Begonia spp.

20. HMT (Broadleaf) Eastern Himalaya Quercus spp, Acer, Ilex, Mosses and Lichens

21 HDT (Conifer) Western Himalaya Pinus wallichiana, P. gerardiana, Juniperus macropoda

22 SAF Western Himalaya Betula utilis, Rhododendron campanulatum, Quercus semecarpifolia

23 AMS Western Himalaya Juniperus pseudosabina, Rhododendron anthopogon, Lonicera spp., Salix spp.

24 ADS Trans-Himalaya Caragana versicolor, Ephedra gerardiana, Tanacetum spp.

TWE = Tropical Wet-Evergreen Forests, TSE = Tropical Semi-Evergreen, TMD = Tropical Moist Deciduous, L/S = Littoral/Swamp Forest, TDD = Tropical Dry Deciduous, TTF = Tropical Thorn Forest, TDE = Tropical Dry Evergreen, MWT = Montane Wet Temperate, SBH = Subtropical Broadleaf Hill, SPF = Subtropical Pine Forest, HWT = Himalayan Wet Temperate, HMT = Himalayan Moist Temperate, HDT = Himalayan Dry Temperate (Coniferous), SAF = Sub-Alpine Forests, AMS = Alpine Moist Scrub, ADS = Alpine Dry Scrub evergreen type (Giant Andaman Evergreen Forest, Andaman Tropical Evergreens are multi-storeyed, closed canopy Tropical Evergreens, and Andaman Hilltop Evergreen forests which grow on hilly terrain. They are less luxuriant Forest) and the others are the Andaman Moist Deciduous than the Giant Evergreens, with less height and density. Forest, Littoral Forest, and Mangrove Forest. Bamboo and Mangroves in the Andaman & Nicobar Is. are estimated to cane brakes form local variations. occupy 115,000 ha, of which 50,000 ha are in the Andaman The tall Gurjan Dipterocarpus alatus forests of the group. The coastline of these islands is irregular and Andaman Islands have almost vanished due to large-scale deeply indented, thereby giving rise to a number of tidal clearance of flat terrain for agriculture. The Andaman creeks.

11 Important Bird AND BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – AVIFAUNA OF INDIA

AVIFAUNA OF INDIA HIRA PUNJABI HIRA

The last wild pair of the Siberian Crane Grus leucogeranus was seen in the Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan in the winter of 2000-2001. Attempts reintroduction have not been successful

he Indian subcontinent, a part of the vast Oriental the tangled patterns of mountain chains, river drainage Tbiogeographic regions, is very rich in biodiversity. systems, and a long period of stable climate seem to have Out of the more than 10.000 birds of the world, the Indian been ideal for the evolution of a wide array of avian species subcontinent harbours about 1,300 species, or over 13% of (Ali & Ripley 1987). the world’s birds. Grimmett et al. (1998) have shown that the Indian This subcontinent, rich in avifauna, also boasts of 106 peninsula is home to many bird families (or other distinctive bird families out of the total 213 families in the world. groups of birds) where the majority of the species of the However, two families,­ Asiatic barbets Megalaimidae and family or group are found in this subcontinent. For instance, Leafbirds Irenidae, occur in the Oriental region, the rest of 71% of all treecreepers (Certhiinae), 62% of accentors the bird families are found in other biogeographical regions (Prunellinae), 55% of laughingthrushes (Garrulacinae) of the world too. The Oriental region is also the centre of and 50% of ioras (Aegithininae) are found in the Indian radiation for many bird groups such as the pheasants, subcontinent. Similarly, 37% of the barbet and 38% of the laughingthrushes, drongos, leafbirds, pittas, parrotbills, drongo species of the world are seen in India. and flowerpeckers. Recently, Rasmussen & Anderton (2005, 2012) have Being a physical part of Asia, India is least limited described nearly 120 new taxa from the Indian subcontinent, by geographical barriers, thus it has acted as a centre of mostly subspecies were elevated to the species level. For dispersal of species, and has also received species from the instance, the two subspecies of the Indian Long-billed Palaearctic, Ethiopian, Indo-Chinese and Indo-Malayan Vulture Gyps indicus indicus and G. indicus tenuirostris subregions. But the dominant groups of birds in India belong have been made full species, with the former now known to what is sometimes called the ‘Indo-Chinese’ fauna, the as Long-billed vulture G. indicus, and the latter, Slender- birds adapted to life in the warm, moist tropical Southeast billed Vulture, G. tenuirostris. Some of the upgraded species Asia, birds primarily of jungle or heavy forests (Ali & Ripley of Rasmussen & Anderton (2005, 2012) have very narrow 1987). The geographical ramifications of southeast Asia, and restricted range distribution, and some of them are

12 Important Bird AND BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – AVIFAUNA OF INDIA

Critically Endangered, e.g., the Slender-billed Vulture in the Tawang area. Ludlow & Kinnear (1944) reported this (BirdLife International 2001). species as quite common in the basin of the Subansiri river, One of the main reasons for high avian diversity in India east of 92o 30’ E (outside Arunachal Pradesh). According is the presence of diverse habitats, from the arid cold desert to Choudhury (2006), there is a recent unconfirmed report of Ladakh and Sikkim to the steamy, tangled jungles of the from Dichu RF in Anjaw district. During a survey of Dibang- Sunderbans to the wet, moist forests of the Western Ghats Dihang Biosphere Reserve, Choudhury (2008) interviewed and Arunachal Pradesh. Rodgers & Panwar (1988) of the hunters, but most of them could not recognise the species Wildlife Institute of India have divided India into ten major from colour visuals, indicating that it is either very rare or biogeographical zones: Trans-Himalaya, Himalaya, Desert, does not occur in the Reserve. Semi-Arid, Western Ghats, Deccan Peninsula, Gangetic It has adapted to disturbed habitats (Ali & Ripley 1987, Plains, Northeast, Islands, and Coasts. This is not a strictly Grimmett et al. 1998). Where unmolested, it becomes biogeographical classification as it was done for the sake of exceedingly tame, coming to monasteries in the remoter identifying new protected areas that are under-represented areas to be fed by Buddhist lamas, even eating out of their in the protected area system of India. As we have followed hand (Ali & Ripley 1987). Rodgers and Panwar’s classification for describing the Another species of some conservation concern is the vegetation cover of India, the same classification is used for Giant Babax Babax waddelli, considered Near Threatened describing the avifauna of India. by BirdLife International (2015). It is again not truly a Trans-Himalayan species as it occurs in the interface of the 1. THE INDIAN TRANS-HIMALAYA Upper Himalaya and Trans-Himalaya. It occurs in southern The Trans-Himalaya (4,500 to 6,000 m) consisting of Tibet, mainland China, and extreme northeastern Sikkim, Ladakh in Jammu & Kashmir, Lahaul-Spiti in Himachal where it inhabits dense deciduous scrub above the treeline, Pradesh, and a small area of Sikkim, is a part of a much particularly of Hippophae rhamnoides, and the edges of larger Tibetan plateau of Tibet and China, consisting of coniferous forests, from 2,800 to 4,500 m (Ali & Ripley 1987, about 2.6 million sq. km. It has high mountains, deep valleys Grimmett et al. 1998). Although Ali & Ripley (1971, Vol. 7, and flat, arid plains. Many major rivers, for example, the p. 238) say that it is a common resident of extreme northeast Brahmaputra, Sutlej, and Indus start from this region, but Sikkim, and possibly Tibetan facies of Arunachal Pradesh, much of this area has internal drainage systems where the Usha Lachungpa (pers. comm. 2010) has never come across rivers end in vast lakes. Such lakes and marshes, mostly this species during several birding trips to northeast Sikkim. saline, are important as breeding grounds for birds such as Rasmussen & Anderton (2005) consider it hypothetical in the Black-necked Crane Grus nigricollis, Bar-headed Goose the Indian subcontinent although it occurs in Tibet near the Anser indicus, Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus, borders with Sikkim, Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh. It is and others. While the flat plains provide habitats to the generally scarce across this range, although it may be locally Tibetan Sandgrouse Syrrhaptes tibetanus, Horned Lark common in suitable habitats (Birdlife International 2015). Eremophila alpestris, and various species of wheatears Oenanthe. The Tibetan Snowcock Tetraogallus tibetanus Wetlands of Trans-Himalaya and the Himalayan Snowcock Tetraogallus himalayensis The wetlands in the Trans-Himalaya are extremely can be seen on the treeless mountains, sometimes both the important for the protection of birds, especially globally species occurring in the same area. There is no truly endemic threatened species. Most of the wetlands are found in the or restricted-range bird species in this region. The Tibetan Changthang region of Ladakh between 4,000 to 5,000 msl. Eared-pheasant Crossoptilon harmani, often considered to The Changthang plains lie between the Leh and Nyoma be a subspecies of the White Eared-pheasant Crossoptilon blocks of Leh district in southeastern Ladakh, which is the crossoptilon, is found at the edges of mixed broadleaf- western extension of Tibetan Changthang (Chatterjee et coniferous forests, rhododendron, juniper, and deciduous al. 2002). The Changthang Wilderness Area (Changthang scrubs and grasslands, between 3,000 and 5,000 m. It is Plateau) was notified in 1987 to provide a sanctuary for listed as Near Threatened (BirdLife International 2015). many species of mammals and birds, and also to protect the Rasmussen & Anderton (2005, 2012) consider this species culture and language of this region. Some of the important as hypothetical in India as “no regional specimens traced”. high altitude lakes such as Tso Kar, Tso Morari, Pangong There is also a dispute about which subspecies occurs within Tso, and marshes such as Hanle, Phoktse and Chushul are Indian limits. Ali & Ripley (1987) reported that Crossoptilon located in this region. Most of them have been identified c. harmani (now considered a full species C. harmani) was as IBAs. found in the extreme northern fringes of Siang, Subansiri There is no Endemic Bird Area in the Indian part of the and Lohit districts of what is now Arunachal Pradesh. Pratap Trans-Himalaya, but a part of Biome 5: Eurasian High Singh (pers. comm. 2010) reports that this species is found Montane (Alpine and Tibetan) falls in India. BirdLife

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Globally Threatened and Near Threatened species of the Indian Trans-Himalaya Species Scientific Names IUCN Category Number of IBAs Black-necked Crane Grus nigricollis VU 11 Wood Snipe Gallinago nemoricola VU 19 Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis NT 72 Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus NT 18

Giant Babax Babax waddelli NT 3

VU = Vulnerable, NT = Near Threatened OTTO PFISTER OTTO The wetlands of Trans-Himalayas are important for the endangered Black-necked Cranes Grus nigricollis

International (undated) has listed 48 bird species that the Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus, Ruddy Shelduck represent the bird assemblage of this biome. Most of Tadorna ferruginea, Brown-headed Gull Chroicocephalus them are common and widespread, and like other desert brunnicephalus, and Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus. species, live in low density (e.g., Himalayan Griffon Gyps None of them are in the threatened category but nonetheless himalayensis, Snow Partridge Lerwa lerwa) but some of the important from the conservation point of view. Among the smaller species move in large flocks, especially during their globally Threatened bird species of India, only two occur in migration (e.g., Long-billed Calandra Lark Melanocorypha the Trans-Himalaya (see table), while three more are listed maxima, Hume’s Short-toed Lark Calandrella acutirostris). as Near Threatened. During winter, many species of this region move down to In India, the Trans-Himalaya covers about 184,823 sq. other biomes, and even to the Indian plains (Brown-headed km, or 5.62% of India’s geographical area. It has three Gull Chroicocephalus (= Larus) brunnicephalus, Tickell’s national parks, covering a total area of 6,559 sq. km (i.e., Warbler Phylloscopus affinis), while some species do not 3.55%) and four wildlife sanctuaries covering an area of move or show small altitudinal movement (e.g., Tibetan 10,443 sq. km. About 9% of the Trans-Himalaya is covered Snowcock Tetraogallus tibetanus, Himalayan Snowcock T. under the Protected Area network (Rodgers et al. 2000). himalayensis, Tibetan Sandgrouse Syrrhaptes tibetanus, Alpine Accentor Prunella collaris). Biome 5 is found mainly 2. THE HIMALAYAN REGION above the treeline, from c. 3,600 msl and above. The key Nearly 6.41% of the total area of India consists of the habitats are alpine meadows and subalpine scrub, cliffs and Himalayan mountain ranges. This region shows extreme boulder-strewn open habitats, gravel plains and wetlands. temperature and rainfall variation from the Western to In the Indian context, the Trans-Himalaya, particularly Eastern Himalaya, with the Western Himalaya colder Ladakh, is very important as the breeding ground of and drier than the Eastern Himalaya. Besides the east-

14 Important Bird AND BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – AVIFAUNA OF INDIA

Endemic Bird Areas of the Western Himalaya The Endemic Bird Areas of the Western Himalaya (including Northwest and Western Himalaya) extend along the mountain chain from western Nepal (west of the Kali Gandaki valley) through Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir in northwest India, northern Pakistan, and then southwest along the mountains in the border region between Pakistan and Afghanistan (Stattersfield et al. 1998). west gradation, there is also altitudinal gradation, both in temperature and rainfall, which again increases the habitat diversity. As the Western Himalaya merges with the Hindukush and then the mountains of Central Asia, and the Eastern Himalaya merges with the Indo-Chinese and Southeast Asian forests, there are not many endemic birds confined to the Himalaya, however, it is the centre of species radiation of pheasants. Out of the 52 species of pheasants in the world (del Hoyo et al. 1994), 16 are found in the Himalayan region. Important species found in India are the Western Tragopan Tragopan melanocephalus, Satyr Tragopan T. satyra, Blyth’s Tragopan T. blythii, Temminck’s Tragopan T. temminckii, Monal Pheasant Lophophorus impejanus, Sclater’s Monal L. sclateri, Tibetan Eared-pheasant Crossoptilon crossoptilon, Cheer Pheasant Catreus wallichii, Blood Pheasant Ithaginis cruentus, ASHFAQ AHMED ZARRI ASHFAQ Kalij (=Kaleej) Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos, Koklass The breeding ecology of the Pheasant Pucrasia macrolopha, and Red Junglefowl Gallus Kashmir Flycatcher Ficedula subrubra is not fully known gallus. The Himalaya also has a monotypic species (i.e. only one species in a genera), the Ibisbill Ibidorhyncha Sutlej in Himachal Pradesh (Rodgers & Panwar 1988). The struthersii, an inhabitant of the shingle beds of streams parallel mountain ranges from south to north comprise the and rivers in the Himalaya (and Trans-Himalaya also). Shivaliks, Lesser and Greater Himalayas, Trans-Himalayan This partridge-sized bird, with long red legs, downcurved Zanskar, Ladakh, and Karakoram. The principal ranges of red bill, and a black band across the breast, is found from this region are the Pir Panjal, Dhauladhar and Nag Tibba 1,700 msl to 4,400 msl. (Mehta & Julka 2002). To the north of the Pir Panjal ranges The Himalaya is geographically divided into four biotic is situated the Kashmir valley, the largest valley in the provinces or sub-regions, namely the Northwest Himalaya, entire Himalayan ranges, 135 km long and 40 km wide, Western Himalaya, Central Himalaya (Nepal) and Eastern with an area c. 4,865 sq. km. Himalaya (Rodger & Panwar 1988). There are a number of wetlands in this region and many of them are identified as IBAs for their bird a) Northwest Himalaya congregations, such as Pong Dam in Himachal Pradesh, This part of the Himalaya (30º 18’ to 32º 06’ N; 72º 32’ to and Hokarsar, Wular, Shallabugh, and Mirgund in Jammu 79º 04’ E) can be said to extend from Kashmir to the River & Kashmir.

Restricted-Range species of the Western Himalaya EBA-128 Sr. no. Species Name Scientific Name Status Number of IBAs 1 Himalayan Quail (Extinct?) Ophrysia superciliosa CR 1 2 Western Tragopan Tragopan melanocephalus VU 20 3 Cheer Pheasant Catreus wallichii VU 25 4 Kashmir Flycatcher Ficedula subrubra VU 11 5 Tytler’s Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus tytleri NT 17 6 White-throated Tit Aegithalos niveogularis LC 8* 7 White-cheeked Tit Aegithalos leucolgenys LC 6* 8 Spectacled Finch or Red-browed Finch Callacanthis burtoni LC 3* 9 Brooks’s Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus subviridis LC 1* 10 Orange Bullfinch Pyrrhula aurantiaca LC 5* 11 Kashmir Nuthatch Sitta cashmirensis LC 2*

*Likely to be wildly distributed in more IBAs but information limited

15 Important Bird AND BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – AVIFAUNA OF INDIA

b) Western Himalaya Forest and/or Indo-Malayan Tropical Dry Zone. (ii) Biome The Western Himalaya (29º 5’ to 31º 25’ N; 77º 45’ to 81º 8: Sino-Himalayan Subtropical Forest, found between c. E), the smallest among the Himalayan regions, comprises 1,000 m and 2,000 m. The key habitats of this biome are areas east of Sutlej in Himachal Pradesh, and the Garhwal Lower Montane Rain Forest, Hill Evergreen Forest, and Pine and Kumaon hills that includes eight hilly districts of Forest (BirdLife International undated). Up to 95 species Uttarakhand. Western Himalaya lies between Sutlej river have been identified that represent the bird assemblages of in the west, and Kali river in the east (Nepal border), and this biome. Most of them are common and widespread. This covers an area of 51,124 sq. km, comprising 9.62% of the biome is the domain of forest and understorey birds: eight Himalayan region (Nandi et al. 2000). Some of the most species of laughingthrushes (Trochalopteron and Ianthocincla important rivers of the Gangetic Plains originate in this area, formerly under Garrulax), three species of scimitar-babblers i.e. Yamuna, Ganga, Bhagirathi, Ramganga, Kosi, Sharda, (Pomatorhinus), four species of Parrotbills (Paradoxornis), Surya, and their tributaries. Many of these rivers have been and many warblers, tit-babblers, and wren-warblers. A dammed for hydroelectric projects, and many more dams are small portion of the Himalaya also comes under Biome planned and are under construction. 9: Indo-Chinese Tropical Moist Forests, especially in the The avifauna of the Western Himalaya is rich and more northeast region. This biome is below 1,000 m and is covered than 680 species are reported from Uttarakhand alone. Some with Lowland Evergreen Rain Forest, Semi-evergreen Rain of the threatened species of the Western Himalaya are the Forest and Moist Deciduous Forest (mainly occurring in the Cheer Pheasant, Himalayan Quail Ophrysia superciliosa Eastern Himalaya). Birds of 19 species have been identified (believed to be extinct), Western Tragopan, and Satyr to represent the bird assemblages of this biome (BirdLife Tragopan, Grey-crowned Prinia Prinia cinereocapilla and International undated), including some globally threatened Yellow-rumped Honeyguide Indicator xanthonotus. (e.g., White-bellied Heron Ardea insignis, Pale-capped Pigeon Eleven restricted-range species are distributed in this Columba punicea, Masked Finfoot Heliopais personata), and EBA. Of these, six species are found in Temperate Forests. Near Threatened (White-cheeked Hill-partridge Arborophila They are the Western Tragopan Tragopan melanocephalus, atrogularis), but none of them are found in the Western Tytler’s Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus tytleri, Kashmir Flycatcher Himalaya. The other species are common in suitable habitats. Ficedula subrubra, White-cheeked Tit Aegithalos leocogenys, It should be noted that most of the area of this biome would Spectacled Finch Callacanthis burtoni, and Orange Bullfinch come in the Northeast region of India (as described by Rodgers Pyrrhula aurantiaca (Stattersfieldet al. 1998). & Panwar 1988). Two species, Brook’s Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus subviridis and White-throated Tit are found in Dry Temperate Forests. c) Central Himalaya Two other species, White-cheeked Tit Aegithalos niveogularis As most of this region falls in Nepal, it is not being and Kashmir Nuthatch Sitta cashmirensis, are mainly found described here. in Coniferous Forests, while the Cheer Pheasant Catreus wallichii and the Himalayan Quail Ophrysia superciliosa d) Eastern Himalaya (known from Uttaranchal and last recorded in about 1889) The Eastern Himalaya, consisting of the kingdom of are associated with open habitats, adjacent to forests. Bhutan and the Indian states of Sikkim and Arunachal Out of the 11 Restricted Range species, five are in the Pradesh, is one of the richest bird zones in the Subcontinent. IUCN Red List category. Himalayan Quail is probably Ali (1977) identified 536 bird species in this zone, which extinct or extremely rare, while Western Tragopan, Cheer is c. 1,000 km long and 150–200 km wide, consisting of Pheasant and Kashmir Flycather are in Vulnerable category, extremely rugged mountains, deep-forested valleys, and and Tytler’s Leaf-warbler is listed as Near Threatened. steamy tropical plains. The altitude varies from 300 msl to Due to the great altitudinal variation from less than 500 m 4,500 msl and the region is a meeting point of Palaearctic, to 3,600 m, the Himalaya shows three distinct biomes, based Indo-Chinese, and Indo-Malayan biogeographical regimes. on bird assemblages (BirdLife International undated). (i) This has created numerous biotopes or life zones, resulting Biome 7: Sino-Himalayan Temperate Forest, mainly between in abundant plants, insects, and birdlife. As it is close to c. 1,800 and 3,600 msl, having Broadleaf Evergreen, Broadleaf the Bay of Bengal, moisture-laden clouds are intercepted Deciduous, Mixed Broadleaf-Coniferous, and Coniferous by abruptly rising chains of mountains, resulting in heavy Forests. It also has Montane Grasslands. A total of 112 bird precipitation. species have been identified which represent this biome. Most Most of the birds of Eastern Himalaya are small of them are common and widespread in suitable habitats. passerines or perching birds which live in forests. As many Most show altitudinal movement, while some migrate long as 18 species of pigeons and doves, 17 species of cuckoos, distances in winter to other biomes such as the Indo-Chinese seven species of barbets, 26 species of woodpeckers, seven Tropical Moist Forest, Indian Peninsula Tropical Moist species of drongos, nine species of bulbuls, seven species

16 Important Bird AND BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – AVIFAUNA OF INDIA

of scimitar-babblers, 13 species of wren-babblers, eight to breed, namely the Subtropical Wet Hill Forest and the species of parrotbills, and many species of laughingthrushes Wet Temperate Forest. The Tropical Lowland Evergreen and make the Eastern Himalaya a centre of speciation for many Semi-evergreen Rain Forests are used by many bird species groups of birds. In the Indian subcontinent, 34 species of outside the breeding season (Stattersfieldet al. 1998). laughingthrushes (formerly kept under Garrulax by Ripley Several species have particularly small ranges 1982) are found, out of which 27 species are from the (Stattersfieldet al. 1998). For example, the Rusty-throated Eastern Himalaya (some are marginal to the area). All the Wren Babbler Spelaeornis badeigularis and Snowy-throated seven species of scimitar-babblers are found in the jungles Babbler Stachyris oglei have been recorded only from the of the Eastern Himalaya. Another well represented group Lohit and Tirap Divisions of eastern Arunachal Pradesh, is the parrotbill Paradoxornis spp., of which we have eight while the Tawny-breasted Wren-babbler Spelaeornis species in the Indian subcontinent, and all are found in the longicaudatus is restricted to the hills of Meghalaya, Eastern Himalaya. southern Assam, and western Manipur; and the Dark- The Eastern Himalaya is one of the biodiversity hotspots rumped Swift Apus acuticauda is known to breed only in of the world. It is also the least studied region of India, with the Khasi Hills in Meghalaya and the Blue Mountains in perhaps many taxa awaiting discovery as proved by this Mizoram where around 30 birds were seen (Ahmed 2003). discovery of Bugun Liocichla Liocichla bugunorum in 2006. The Rusty-throated Wren-babbler, also called Mishmi As the human population density is low, this region still has Wren-babbler (Ali & Ripley 1987) has a type specimen good natural forest cover, and there is still time to select collected at Dreyi, Mishmi Hills, at c. 1600 m. In February a well designed protected area system which adequately 2005, Ben King and Julian Donahue rediscovered the protects the range of biological and other natural resource Rusty-throated Wren-babbler about 50 km from where the values (Rodgers & Panwar 1988). type-specimen was collected in 1947 in the Mishmi Hills of eastern Arunachal Pradesh (Butchart et al. 2005). In the Endemic Bird Areas of Eastern Himalaya same Mishmi Hills, two birds were heard/seen in November This range starts from the Arun-Kosi valley of eastern 2007 by Sumit Sen (pers. comm. 2010). This tiny (9 cm), Nepal, and runs through Bhutan, northeast India (Sikkim, skulking bird of the Subtropical Wet Forests is considered northern West Bengal, and Arunachal Pradesh), southeast is uncommon but may be common in suitable areas. Tibet Autonomous Region and northeast Myanmar to Stattersfield et al. (1998) have listed 22 restricted- southwest China (northwest Yunnan province) (Stattersfield range species in this region, out of which 21 are found et al. 1998). The Eastern Himalaya also includes the in India. Only Sitta victoriae is not found here. Out of mountain ranges to the south of the Brahmaputra river, the 21 restricted-range species found in this region, 11 which extend through Nagaland, Manipur, southern are considered Threatened or Near Threatened (BirdLife Assam, Meghalaya, and Mizoram, to the Chin hills in International 2001, 2015), a number greater than in any western Myanmar, and the Chittagong hills in southeast other EBA of India (Stattersfield et al. 1998). Bangladesh. Rodgers & Panwar (1988) and Rodgers et al. (2000) have included the area south of the Brahmaputra 3. THE INDIAN DESERT (THAR) river in their biogeographic zone Northeast, sub-province The Thar desert occupies nearly 10% of India’s geographical North-East Hills. area and covers 208,751 sq. km in Rajasthan alone. To the Some of the restricted range species of the Eastern north, it extends into Punjab in the Ferozpur, Sangrur, and Himalaya breed in mainly two types of forests, Subtropical Bhatinda districts (14,510 sq. km), and in the northeast it Wet Hill Forests between 1,000 msl and 2,000 msl, and Wet joins the arid areas of Haryana (12,840 sq. km) in parts of Temperate Forests between 1,800 msl and 3,000 msl. Some the Mahendragarh and Hissar districts. The Aravalli hills, of the species also breed in Moist Temperate and Subalpine starting from Champaner in north Gujarat and extending up Forests, and many are altitudinal migrants, moving during to Delhi, form the eastern boundary of the Thar. In the west the breeding season into Tropical Lowland Evergreen and are the Thar-Parkar, Cholistan, and Thal deserts of Pakistan. Semi-evergreen Rain Forests below 1,000 m (Stattersfield To the south, it extends into Gujarat, mainly in the Kutch, et al. 1998). This region is important for many globally Mehsana, and Banaskantha districts, and to some extent in Threatened, Near Threatened, and restricted- range species. the Saurashtra region. The total desert area in Gujarat is These restricted-range species are found between the about 62,180 sq. km, or 20% of the Thar desert. altitudes of 300 msl and 4,000 msl. Many of these species are Depending upon the rainfall and edaphic factors, the Thar altitudinal migrants and found outside their breeding areas. desert can be divided into four divisions: (i) the Luni basin As the region is remote and little studied, the information comprising Pali, Jalore, the southeastern part of Barmer, available is inadequate. The genus Sphenocichla is endemic eastern part of Jodhpur, western part of Ajmer, Sirohi, and to this EBA. Two main habitats are important for these birds the southern part of Nagaur district; (ii) the northern drainage

17 Important Bird AND BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – AVIFAUNA OF INDIA

zone, comprising Sikar, Jhunjhunu, and northern Nagaur; (iii) larks, pipits, and munias. In the Rann of Kutch in the agriculturally rich district of Sri Ganganagar adjoining Gujarat, both Greater Phoenicopterus roseus and Lesser Punjab and Haryana; and (iv) the true desert or Marusthali Phoeniconaias minor Flamingo breed when conditions are consisting of the whole of Jaisalmer, northern Barmer, suitable. These nesting colonies are coming under increasing western parts of Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Churu districts. pressure due to tourist disturbance, and a large number of The Thar Desert is one of the smallest deserts in nests have been reported to be destroyed. As the sites of the world, but it exhibits a wide variety of habitats and the nesting colonies shift, depending upon inundation, it is biodiversity (Sharma et al. 2013). It is the most thickly difficult to protect them. The famous ‘Flamingo City’ in the populated desert in the world, with an average density of Great Rann is under grave threat due to a road that is under 83 persons per sq. km, whereas in other deserts the average construction. It is feared that this road, which is about 6-10 is only seven persons per sq. km (Baqri & Kankane 2001). km from the breeding area, will change the water regime, It is considered an important desert in terms of its location, besides creating disturbance. In the Thar desert, Rodgers where Palaearctic, Oriental, and Saharan elements of et al. (2000) have listed one national park of 3,162 sq. km. biodiversity are found. and five wildlife sanctuaries of 12,914 sq. km. On paper, 7.45% of the desert is under the PA network. However, the Avifauna of the Thar desert ground situation is very different. There are 70 villages in Despite its comparatively small area, the Thar desert has the Desert National Park, and more than half of the Little a high avian diversity, from its location on the crossroads of Rann Wildlife Sanctuary (4,953 sq. km) is under human the Palaearctic and Oriental biogeographic realms. As the occupation. Similarly, the Kutch Desert Sanctuary (7,506 Thar desert is not isolated, avian endemicity is very low. To sq. km) is under military occupation, being located in the the west, it is connected through the Sind plains with the border areas. There are only two PAs in the Thar desert with Persian and then the Arabian deserts, to the northeast with legally no human occupation: the seven sq. km Tal Chhapar the Gangetic Plains, and to the east, it joins the Semi-Arid Blackbuck Sanctuary in Rajasthan and the two sq. km Lala biogeographic zone. In the south, it merges with the Rann Bustard Sanctuary in Gujarat, both of which are IBAs. of Kutch. Therefore, most species of birds of the Thar are Besides the globally threatened species mentioned above, widely distributed. the Thar desert hosts many Near Threatened species in Between 250 to 300 species have been reported from the significant numbers. The main Near Threatened species Thar desert. This variation is mainly due to the fact that for which this desert is extremely important are: Lesser some authors include Kutch, parts of Saurashtra, and the Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor, Cinereous Vulture Aegypius western side of the Aravalli mountains in the Thar desert, monachus, and Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus. There could while others have a more restrictive definition of the desert be 970,000 to 990,000 Lesser Flamingos in Africa and Asia that includes only nine districts of western Rajasthan (BirdLife International 2014). In a study conducted by Shah and Kutch in Gujarat. In the Rajasthan part of the Thar, and Qurieshi (2015) in Gujarat, Lesser Flamingo population nearly 250 species have been reported (Rahmani 1997a, was estimated to be between 200,000 and 250,000, while 1997b). Tremendous changes in the avifaunal structure of Greater Flamingo population was from 80,000 to 100,000, the Thar desert are taking place due to the Indira Gandhi based on the sample study sites. They found that Greater and Nahar Project (IGNP) and species never seen earlier are Lesser flamingos are largely distributed in the districts of now regularly found near the canal (Rahmani 1997a, 1997b; Kutch, Surrendranagar, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar, Ahmedabad, Rahmani & Soni 1997). However, this project is playing Porbander, Anand, Navsari, Valsad, and Vadodara, within 17 havoc with the desert ecosystem by changing the crop km of the coastline as most of the saline lakes, and salt work pattern, traditional grazing regime, and colonisation by are within this area. Kutch in Gujarat is the only district newcomers who do not have the conservation value system where both species of flamingo breed (Ali 1974, Ali & Ripley which the desert people have. Due to easy availability 1987, Grimmett & Inskipp 2003, Mundkur et al. 1989). Two of water everywhere, unsustainable livestock grazing is IBAs, Flamingo City and Little Rann of Kutch have been taking place and the famous Sewan grasslands which have identified on the basis of the breeding of flamingos, both survived for hundreds of years with low grazing are now Greater and Lesser. Earlier, it was known to nest only in the are under tremendous pressure. These grasslands are the Greater Rann of Kutch (an IBA) (Ali 1974), but Mundkur et major habitat of the Critically Endangered Great Indian al. (1989) reported its nesting in the Little Rann also. Shah Bustard Ardeotis nigriceps, and the winter migrant Houbara and Qurieshi (2015) found both species nesting in Little or Macqueen’s Bustard Chlamydotis macqueeni. and Greater Rann. The Great Rann of Kutch has two major Other important desert species are the Cream-coloured nesting sites: Flamingo City for only Greater Flamingo, and Courser Cursorius cursor, Greater Hoopoe-Lark Alaemon Lodrani-Kuda Rann for Lesser Flamingo to greater extent alaudipes, various species of sandgrouse, raptors, wheatears, and Greater Flamingo to smaller extent.

18 Important Bird AND BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – AVIFAUNA OF INDIA

Globally threatened and Restricted range species of the Eastern Himalaya

Sr. no. Species Name Scientific Name IUCN Status Number of IBAs 1 Chestnut-breasted Hill-partridge Arborophila mandellii VU 12 2 Blyth’s Tragopan Tragopan blythii VU 27 3 Sclater’s Monal Lophophorus sclateri VU 8 4 Dark-rumped Swift or Khasi Hills swift Apus acuticauda VU 10 5 Snowy-throated Babbler Stachyris oglei VU 8 6 Tawny-breasted Wren Babbler Spelaeornis longicaudatus VU 5 7 Rusty-throated Wren Babbler or Mishmi Wren-babbler Spelaeornis badeigularis VU 5 8 Ward’s Trogon Harpactes wardi NT 14 9 Rusty-bellied Shortwing Brachypteryx hyperythra NT 15 10 Blackish-breasted Babbler or Sikkim Wedge-billed Babbler Sphenocichla humei NT 15 11 Rufous-throated Wren Babbler Spelaeornis caudatus NT 11 12 Hoary-throated Barwing Ixops nipalensis LC 18 13 Streak-throated Barwing or Austens Barwing Ixops waldeni LC 17 14 Ludlow’s Fulvetta or Brown-throated Fulvetta Fulvetta ludlowi LC 10 15 Brown-capped Laughingthrush Ianthocincla austeni LC 5 16 Striped Laughingthrush Trochalopteron virgatum LC 6 17 Grey Sibia Malacias gracilis LC 29 18 Beautiful Sibia Malacias pulchellus LC 25 19 Yellow-vented Warbler or Yellow-vented Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus cantator LC 23 20 Broad-billed Warbler Tickellia hodgsoni LC 19 21 White-naped Yuhina Yuhina bakeri LC 37

The Thar Desert is important for many vultures and Desert and huge population decline of many desert birds, raptors. For example, sometimes more than a thousand both resident and migratory, there is a need to reassess Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus are seen on the the status of many species such as the Imperial or Black- carcass dump called Jor Beed near Bikaner. This is the bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis, Spotted Sandgrouse area which host hundreds of Cinereous Vultures Aegypius Pterocles senegallus, Pin-tailed Sandgrous Pterocles alchata, monachus and thousands of Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus, Grey Hypocolius Hypocolius ampelinus, and Indian Courser and few dozen Himalayan Griffon Gyps himalayensis. Tawny Cursorius coramandelicus. Eagle Aquila rapax and Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis were also counted in large numbers. 4. THE SEMI-ARID REGION The Thar desert lies in Biome 13 (Saharo-Sindian Desert) This region has rainfall varying from 400 mm to 1,000 mm, in which BirdLife International (undated) has identified 11 and is dominated by grass and shrub species. The Semi-Arid bird species representing the biome assemblage [one species, region shows high avian numbers, especially granivorous Sind Woodpecker Dendrocopos assimilis is found in Pakistan, species such as finches, munias, larks, doves, and pigeons. It with only one 19th century record from India: Hargitt (1890)]. has Dry Deciduous Forests and extensive tracts of grasslands Except for two (Great Indian Bustard and White-browed on the Deccan plateau in central India, Malwa plateau in Bushchat), the remaining nine species are not threatened. northwest India, and Saurashtra region in Gujarat. The Semi- For many species such as the Spotted Sandgrouse Pterocles Arid region merges with the Desert on the western side and senegallus, Desert Finch Lark Ammomanes deserti, Greater with the Gangetic Plains in the north. More than 100 species Hoopoe-lark Alaemon alaudipes, Grey Hypocolius Hypocolius of birds use the Semi-Arid grasslands for foraging and/or ampelinus, and Trumpeter Finch Rhodopechys githaginea, the nesting (Rahmani 1996b). A majority of the species (83%) are Thar Desert forms their extreme eastern winter distributional present in other grassland types or even in small grassland range. Many of them occur from the Thar desert westward patches within forests, but 17 species are exclusively present in the whole of the Middle East, and then all the way up to in this zone. Four species are found only in the Semi-Arid Morocco in north Africa. Incidentally, the Thar Desert does and Deccan regions and nowhere else. They are the Malabar not have any Endemic Bird Area or Secondary Area, as none Crested Lark Galerida malabarica, Sykes’s Crested Lark G. of the species is wholly restricted to this biogeographic zone. deva, Green Munia Amandava formosa, and the Rock Bush- Considering changes in the landscape of the Indian Thar quail Perdicula argoondah. The Indian Chat or Brown Rock

19 Important Bird AND BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – AVIFAUNA OF INDIA

Globally Threatened* species of the Indian Thar Desert

Sr. no. Species Name Scientific Name IUCN Status Number of IBAs 1 White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis CR 6 2 Long-billed Vulture or Indian Vulture Gyps indicus CR 6 3 Red-headed Vulture Aegypius calvus CR 4 4 Great Indian Bustard Ardeotis nigriceps CR 2 5 Sociable Lapwing or Social Plover Vanellus gregarius CR 1 6 Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus VU 5 7 Asian Woollyneck Ciconia episcopus VU 1 8 Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga VU 2 9 Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca VU 2 10 Pallas’s Fish-eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus VU 1 11 Asian Houbara or Macqueen’s Bustard Chlamydotis macqueenii VU 2 12 Yellow-eyed Pigeon Columba eversmanni VU 2 13 White-browed Bushchat Saxicola macrorhynchus NT 3 14 Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster NT 1 15 Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala NT 1 16 Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus NT 1 17 Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor NT 1 18 Ferruginous Pochard (Duck) Aythya nyroca NT 1 19 Himalayan Vulture ( Griffon) Gyps himalayensis NT 1 20 Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus NT 4 21 Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus NT 1 22 Laggar Falcon Falco jugger NT 1 23 Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata NT 2 24 Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa NT 1 25 River Tern Sterna aurantia NT 2 26 European Roller Coracias garrulus NT 1 * Only those globally threatened species for which this biogeographic zone is very important are listed.

Chat Cercomela fusca is another endemic bird found in the of its total flora. Good forest still covers 30% of the Western Arid, Semi-Arid regions and the Gangetic Plains. Perhaps the Ghats region, particularly on the higher reaches. Rivers most endangered species of the Semi-Arid Zone is the Lesser flowing from the Western Ghats irrigate almost 40% of land Florican Sypheotides indicus. Its main breeding areas used to in India, and nearly 250 million people depend on them. be the grasslands of the Malwa plateau and Saurashtra, but Krishna, Godavari, and Kaveri are the three major rivers due to the destruction of grasslands, this bird has disappeared of south India that originate from the Western Ghats. from most of its range (Sankaran et al. 1992). Nearly 510 species of birds have been identified from According to the biogeographic zone classification of the Western Ghats. Despite the fact that birds are so Rodgers et al. (2000), the Semi-Arid Zone occurring in mobile and some can travel thousands of kilometres eastern Rajasthan, Gujarat (except Kutch which is in the during migration and dispersal, there are 26 bird species Desert Zone), western Madhya Pradesh, parts of Uttar endemic or restricted to the Western Ghats. Some species Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and southern parts of Jammu such as the Malabar Grey Hornbill Ocyceros griseus and & Kashmir, constitutes about 548,850 sq. km or 16.60% of Malabar Parakeet Psittacula columboides are found from India’s geographical area. Maharashtra to Kerala, while others like the Nilgiri Laughingthrush, now called Black-chinned Laughingthrush 5. THE WESTERN GHATS Strophocincla (= Garrulax) cachinnans are highly limited The Western Ghats on the northwest coast of India extend in their distribution, being restricted to the Nilgiris (Zarri for about 1,600 km from the River Tapti (21º N) in the north to et al. 2008) Even here, they occupy less than 200 sq. km in Kanyakumari (8º N) in the south. Except for the 25 km Palghat highly fragmented sholas, at heights above 1,700 m. With Gap, the Western Ghats stand unbroken but the peaks vary such a narrow distribution, it is no wonder that IUCN has greatly. The highest peak is Anamudi (2,700 m). listed this bird as Endangered. The Niligiri Pipit Anthus The Western Ghats occupy only about 5% of India’s land nighiriensis is endemic to the high-altitude grasslands of mass (about 132,606 sq. km), yet they harbour nearly 27% the Western Ghats in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, though it is

20 Important Bird AND BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – AVIFAUNA OF INDIA ASAD R. RAHMANI JEAN HOWMAN/WPA/BirdLife International JEAN HOWMAN/WPA/BirdLife The Himalayas are the centre of radiation of The Great Indian Bustard Ardeotis nigriceps has seen massive many pheasant species decline mainly due to habitat destruction and hunting

locally fairly common in its specialised habitat across its topography of the area. Kerala receives the maximum range, recent studies by Robin et al. (2014) shows that it is rainfall, c. 7,000–8,500 mm in some places. now confined only to two major mountain ranges (Nilgiris hills and Anamalai-Palni hills). The total area occupied by Restricted-Range species in the Western Ghats this bird is only 440 sq km. Stattersfield et al. (1988) had identified 16 restricted- Despite being tropical, the forests of the Western range species in the Western Ghats, but now based on recent Ghats are poorer in birdlife compared to similar forests taxonomic changes (Rasmussen and Anderton 2005, 2012, in northeast India or Southeast Asia. For instance, 12 del Hoya and Collar 2014), we have identified 26 species species of pittas are found in Southeast Asia, but only that are endemic to the Western Ghats. a single species is seen in the Western Ghats (Daniels The Western Ghats and isolated areas of Moist Forests 1997). Only five species of sunbirds are reported from in the Eastern Ghats and elsewhere in peninsular India the Western Ghats, while 76 species are found in similar constitute Biome 10: Indian Peninsula Tropical Moist Forest tropical forests in Africa. Nevertheless, the Western Ghats according to BirdLife International (undated). This biome are one of the biodiversity hotspots of the world. Consider is located mainly below c. 1,000 m and the key habitats this. In India there are reports of about 320 species of are Lowland Evergreen Rain Forest, Semi-Evergreen Rain amphibians and 520 species of reptiles, of which about 190 Forest, Moist Deciduous Forest, and Evergreen Hill Forest. amphibian and 120 reptile species are endemic or confined Fifteen bird species have been identified that represent the to the Western Ghats. In the last decade, around 100 new bird assemblage of this biome. None of them are globally species of amphibians and reptiles have been described threatened, although some of them such as the Ceylon from the Western Ghats. Among reptiles, eight endemic Frogmouth Batrachostomus moniliger, Malabar Trogon genera are found in the Western Ghats: Brachyophidium, Harpactes fasciatus, Malabar Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros Dravidogecko, Melanophidium, Plectrurus, Ristella, Salea, coronatus, Malabar Whistling Thrush Myophonus horsfieldii Teretrurus, and Xylophis. The amphibian fauna exhibits and the Black-headed Babbler Rhopocichla atriceps are even greater levels of endemism: almost 50% of India’s confined to undisturbed forests, hence of some conservation species are endemic to this region (Wikramanayake et al. concern as the forest habitats are restricted. 2002). The Western Ghats can be divided into three regions, (a) 6. THE DECCAN PENINSULA northern; (b) central; and (c) southern. These divisions are Deccan is derived from Dakshina (Sanskrit) which appropriate in the context of birds as well (Daniels 1997). means south. The Deccan Peninsula covers c. 1,380,380 sq. The major rivers which originate in the Western Ghats are km, or 42% of the total area of India (Rodgers et al. 2000). the Godavari (1,500 km), Krishna (1,400 km), and Cauvery Much of the Peninsula is constituted by the Deccan plateau, (805 km). All these rivers flow eastwards, while other which has a mean elevation of c. 600 msl, sometimes up to rivers such as Gayatri, Kalinadi, Nethravathi, Sharavathi, 900 msl. The plateau is flanked by a narrow coastal strip Bharathapuzha, and Periyar flow westwards. These rivers on the west and by a much broader coastal region on the are dependent on the monsoons, because the Western Ghats east. The rivers flowing through the Peninsula have flat, are chiefly monsoonal, with heavy rain between June and shallow valleys with a low gradient. The main rivers of September. Rainfall also depends on the elevation and the Deccan Peninsula are the Narmada, Tapti, Mahanadi,

21 Important Bird AND BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – AVIFAUNA OF INDIA

Globally Threatened* species of the Semi-Arid Zone

Species Name Scientific Nams IUCN Status No. of IBAs Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga VU 14 Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca VU 10 White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis CR 31 Long-billed Vulture Gyps indicus CR 25 Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus CR Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus EN Sarus Crane Grus antigone VU 29 Asian Woollyneck Ciconia episcopus VU Great Indian Bustard Ardeotis nigriceps CR 2 Lesser Florican Sypheotides indicus EN 6 Sociable Lapwing Vanellus gregarius CR 3 Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis VU 12 Black-bellied Tern Sterna acuticauda EN White-browed Bushchat Saxicola macrorhyncha VU 5 Pied Tit Parus nuchalis VU 6 Green Munia Amandava formosa VU 3

*Only those threatened species for which this biogeographic zone is very important are listed CR = Critically Endangered, EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable **As many species listed in this table are widespread, they are likely to be present in many more IBAs and in a wider landscape.

Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery, and their tributaries and are birds of Secondary Areas as defined by Stattersfieldet associated lakes. al. (1998). The other threatened birds are the Great Indian The climate of the Deccan Plateau is dry. The Deccan Bustard and Lesser Florican. Peninsula has five divisions: (1) Deccan plateau south; (2) Deccan plateau north; (3) Eastern highlands; (4) Chhota Secondary bird areas in the Deccan Peninsula Nagpur and (5) Central highlands. The northern plateau In this biogeographical zone (of Rodgers and Panwar’s is very dry, while the Eastern highlands is a small province classification), we find two Secondary Areas as defined by but biologically the richest (Cherian 2000). This region BirdLife International (A secondary area is an area which (Eastern highlands) also consists of the Eastern Ghats supports one or more restricted-range bird species, but does and the moist hills and valleys of the Chhattisgarh- not qualify as an Endemic Bird Area because fewer than two Dandakaranya areas. Chhota Nagpur is moist in the species are entirely confined to it). These Secondary Areas northwest, while its remaining parts are dry. The Central are (1) Southern Deccan plateau and (2) Central Indian highlands include the Satpura and the Vindhya hill Forest. ranges. The Deccan Peninsula has some of the finest Dry Southern Deccan Plateau (SA: s072) Deciduous Forests, particularly in Madhya Pradesh, This area lies in the states of Karnataka, Andhra Orissa, and Maharashtra. It also has some grasslands Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and possibly Orissa, where where relict populations of the Great Indian Bustard and the Yellow-throated Bulbul Pycnonotus xantholaemus is Lesser Florican are found. The common endemic species distributed. This bird is uncommon and patchily distributed (found in India only) are Grey Junglefowl Gallus sonneratii, on boulder-strewn hills with vegetation ranging from Painted Francolin Francolinus pictus, Rock Bush-quail Tropical Thorn Scrub and Dry Deciduous Forests to Moist Perdicula argoondah, Painted Bush-quail Perdicula Deciduous Forests between 600 msl and 1,200 msl (Ali erythrorhyncha, and Sykes’s Crested Lark Galerida deva. & Ripley 1987; Subramanya et al. 1993, 1995). The main Some of these species are found in other biogeographical threats to this species are total clearance of vegetation, regions such as the Western Ghats, the Semi-Arid and excessive wood-cutting, cattle-grazing, and quarrying on Desert regions, and the Gangetic Plains. the hillocks (Subramanya et al. 1993, 1995). The IBAs Among the threatened species of birds in the Deccan occurring in the Secondary Area where this species is found Peninsula are endemic species, namely Yellow-throated are: Horsley Hills, Nandi Hills, Kaundinya, Sri Penusula Bulbul Pycnonotus xantholaemus, Forest Owlet Heteroglaux Narasimha WLS, Sri Venkateswara WLS, Hampi, blewitti, Jerdon’s Courser Rhinoptilus bitorquatus, and Jogimatti State Forest, Ramanagara State Forest, and Green Munia Amandava formosa. The first three species Chinnar WLS (Rahmani 2012). This species is very common

22 Important Bird AND BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – AVIFAUNA OF INDIA

Globally threatened* species of the Deccan Biogeographic Zone

Species Name Scientific Nams IUCN Status No. of IBAs Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis VU 23 Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus VU 8 White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis CR 42 Long-billed Vulture Gyps indicus CR 26 Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga VU 17 Great Indian Bustard Ardeotis nigriceps CR 4 Lesser Florican Sypheotides indicus EN 5 Jerdon’s Courser Rhinoptilus bitorquatus CR 2 Pale-capped Pigeon Columba punicea VU 3 Forest Owlet Heteroglaux blewitti CR 3 Yellow-throated Bulbul Pycnonotus xantholaemus VU 12 Broad-tailed Grassbird Schoenicola platyura VU 1 Pied Tit Parus nuchalis VU 1 Green Munia Amandava formosa VU 12

*Only those Threatened species for which this biogeographic zone is very important are listed CR = Critically Endangered, EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable in Ramanagaram, close to Bangalore. Shashank Dalvi Karnataka plateaux, and Tamil Nadu uplands, while the (pers. comm. 2010) saw or heard at least 15 individuals coastal area in the east limits the eastern part. The Eastern in a single walk at this place in October 2008. It can be Ghats are not contiguous because the Rivers Mahanadi, easily overlooked, as the call can be mistaken for that Godavari, and Krishna cut across them (Pullaiah 2002). In of the commoner White-browed Bulbul (Shashank Dalvi the north, the highest peak is Mahendragiri (1,501 m) in pers. comm. 2010). Rahmani (2012) has given all the latest the Ganjam district of Orissa. The average elevation in the records. northern Eastern Ghats is c. 400 m. There is a 130 km gap in the Ghats in Guntur district, and then the middle Eastern Central Indian Forests (SA: s075) Ghats start and extend from the Krishna to near about This Secondary Area is the habitat of the Critically Chennai, including the Nallamalais, Palakonda, Velikonda, Endangered Forest Owlet Heteroglaux blewitti, especially and Seshachalam hills where the average elevation is c. in eastern Madhya Pradesh, northwest Maharashtra, and 750 m (Pullaiah 2002). The southern Eastern Ghats run northwest Orissa. This bird was thought to be extinct, towards the Western Ghats and meet in the Nilgiris. This but was rediscovered in 1997. Later studies revealed that section includes the Javadi hills, Kollimalai, Pacchamalai, it is found in Melghat Tiger Reserve, Gugamal, Taloda Kalrayan, and Biligirirangan hills. The highest peak in this (Shahada), and Toranmal. region is 1,750 msl in the Biligirirangan hills, which forms the southern tip of the Eastern Ghats. 7. THE EASTERN GHATS The climate of the Eastern Ghats is tropical. The region Although Rodgers & Panwar (1988) and Rodgers et al. receives rainfall from the southwest monsoon, and the (2000) have included the Eastern Ghats in the Deccan retreating northeast monsoon, ranging from 1,200 to 1,600 Peninsula biogeographic zone, we are describing the region mm. The region also has semi-arid climate. Cyclonic storms separately as the Eastern Ghats are important from the are frequent during the rainy season, especially on the avifaunal distribution point of view. coastal plains. The temperature in January ranges between The Eastern Ghats (11º 31’ to 21º 0’ N; 77º 22’ to 85º 20 ºC and 25 ºC, the maximum temperature shoots up to 41 21’ E) are spread through Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, and ºC during the summer months and the minimum is 5 ºC in Tamil Nadu, covering an area of c. 75,000 sq. km, with an winter. The relative humidity varies from 70 to 75%. average width of 200 km in the north and 100 km in the The vegetation of the Eastern Ghats consists of Evergreen south. They extend over a length of 1,750 km between the Forests, Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forests, Tropical Moist Rivers Mahanadi in the north and Vaigai in the south, along Deciduous Forests, Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous the east coast of India (Pullaiah 2002). The northernmost Forests, Northern Mixed Dry Deciduous forests, Dry boundary of the Eastern Ghats consists of the Mahanadi Savannah Forests, Tropical Dry Evergreen Forests, and basin, while the Nilgiri hills form the southern boundary. Tropical Dry Evergreen Scrub (Pullaiah 2002). Pullaiah (2002) also mentions that in the west, the Eastern The Eastern Ghats are very rich in biodiversity, which Ghats merge with the tips of the Bastar, Telangana, and consists of 2,500 species of angiosperms or about 13% of the

23 Important Bird AND BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – AVIFAUNA OF INDIA

flowering plants of India (Pullaiah 2002). Regarding the fauna of the Eastern Ghats, adequate information is lacking. Nevertheless, 115 species of amphibians and reptiles have been reported from the Eastern Ghats (Daniels 2000). Golden Gecko Calodactylodes aureus was rediscovered from Chittoor in 1986 (Daniel et al. 1986). The Eastern Ghats are rich in avifaunal diversity. However, they have received relatively little attention from biologists (Ripley et al. 1987–88). Only two systematic and comprehensive ornithological surveys have been undertaken so far in the entire Eastern Ghats region. They are the Vernay scientific survey of the Eastern Ghats (Whistler & Kinnear 1930–37) and the Hyderabad State Ornithological Survey (Ali 1933–34). Other significant studies on the birds of the Eastern Ghats were done by Abdulali (1945), HABIB BILAL Krishna Raju (1985), Trevor Price (1978, 1979), Ripley et al. The Syke’s Crested Lark Galerida deva is one of the endemic species of the Indian plains (1987–88), and Bhushan (1994). The Eastern Ghats support nearly 400 species and subspecies of birds (Bhushan 1994). The Critically Endangered Jerdon’s Courser Rhinoptilus bitorquatus is Secondary Bird Area in Eastern Andhra Pradesh found in the Eastern Ghats. The Yellow-throated Bulbul (SA: s071) Pycnonotus xantholaemus, which is endemic to southern This area is identified for the Endangered Jerdon’s peninsular India, is also found in the southern part of the Courser Rhinoptilus bitorquatus which is a poorly known Eastern Ghats. Subramanya (2004) while travelling from nocturnal bird, thought to be extinct for 86 years (King Kharagpur to Chennai by train, found some hills between 1978–79) until its rediscovery in January 1986. Historically, Kaluga and Gangadharpur in Orissa to be suitable for this the bird was found in the Penner and Godavari valleys in species. Andhra Pradesh (east-central India). The habitat of this The occurrence of Tree Sparrow Passer montanus, Abbot’s bird is thin scrub on rocky and undulating ground including Babbler Malacocincla abbotti, and Little Spiderhunter disturbed areas where regeneration is affected by grazing and Arachnothera longirostra in the northern parts of the firewood collection (Bhushan 1986a,b; Ali & Ripley 1987). The Eastern Ghats is of zoogeographical interest since these BNHS has conducted a major project on this bird to study species are considered as Himalayan/Southeast Asian its ecology and biology, and has recorded the species from relicts (Ripley et al. 1987–88). The Eastern Ghats in their three sites around the Lankamalai ranges (near the Penner southernmost part run in a southwest direction to meet the valley) in southern Andhra Pradesh (Jeganathan et al. 2002, Western Ghats. Species such as the Yellow-browed Bulbul Jeganathan et al. 2004, Jeganathan & Wotton 2004). Iole indica and the White-bellied Treepie Dendrocitta Two IBAs identified for Jerdon’s Courser are Sri leucogastra, which are mainly confined to the Western Lankamalleswara and Sri Penusula Narasimha WLSs. Ghats, are found in this region as well (Ali & Ripley 1987). Apart from these resident species, the Eastern Ghats are 8. THE GANGETIC PLAINS important flyways for winter visitors. Coastal wetlands and About 354,800 sq. km in area, the Gangetic Plains are forested watershed in the Eastern Ghats hill ranges act as one of the most fertile areas of the world, with a 3,000 year important wintering ranges for migrant birds (Bhushan history of human occupation. This is also one of the most 1994). densely populated areas of the world. The combination of a Earlier, the Pale-capped Pigeon Columba punicea, a bird long history of human occupation and a dense, still growing of north-east Indian and South-east Asia, was reported from human population has resulted in an almost complete the Eastern Ghats (Mooney 1934; Jayakar 1967) but now it conversion of the original vegetation into cropland and is reported from the coastal Bhitarkanika (Gopi and Pandav human settlements. The Gangetic Plains are drained by 2007) and Chandaka Sanctuary. Its main stronghold is the numerous rivers and streams, the most famous obviously Similipal Tiger Reserve. There are several recent reports is River Ganga. from Ekamra Kanan (bamboo scrub adjoining Chandaka This region is famous for its flood-plain wetlands – the Wildlife Sanctuary), Barbara Reserve Forest, Nandankanan result of copious rainfall in the Gangetic Plains and also Sanctuary and Hindol Reserve Forest near Dhenkanal in the Himalaya where most of the rivers originate. Large (Rahmani and Nair 2015). areas are annually flooded, and when the flood recedes,

24 Important Bird AND BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – AVIFAUNA OF INDIA

IQUBAL PERWEZ The Swamp Francolin Francolinus gularis survives in remnant wet grasslands of the Gangetic plains and Assam

Rahmani (1998) have recorded 330 species from Dudhwa National Park, which is perhaps the best terai forest remaining in north India. A total of 248 bird species was CLEMENT FRANCIS M. CLEMENT More studies are required to lesser known Nilgiri Flycatcher recorded in Sohagi Barwa Wildlife Sanctuary, including one Eumyias albicaudata in Western Ghats Endangered, four Vulnerable and twelve Near Threatened

it leaves low-lying areas under water. These wetlands are extremely productive in terms of vegetation biomass and avian diversity (Howes 1995). Some of the most important wetland IBAs are found in this region with significant populations of waterfowl. Sultanpur in Gurgaon, Bhindawas in Rohtak, Patna Jheel in Etah, Lakh-Bahosi in Farrukhabad, Saman in Mainpuri, and Nawabganj in Unnao are some of the more spectacular wetlands for migratory waterfowl in winter. The marshes and wetlands of the Gangetic drainage system show a long history of stability in the geological sense, thus a large number of marsh-dependent species are found such as the Striated Grassbird Megalurus palustris, Bristled Grassbird Chaetornis striata, Rufous-rumped Grassbird Graminicola bengalensis, Yellow-bellied Prinia Prinia flaviventris, Swamp Francolin Francolinus gularis, Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis, and various ducks. Unfortunately, one of the species, the Pink-headed Duck Rhodonessa caryophyllacea, has become extinct, not due to any geological upheaval but due to anthropogenic factors. There is practically no natural vegetation left in the Gangetic Plains, except in the region known as the Terai, which is sandwiched between the bhabhar tract of the Sub-Himalaya and the main Gangetic Plains. The tall, moist grasslands of the Terai, interspersed with Sal Shorea robusta forest, contain some of the most endangered bird CLEMENT FRANCIS M. CLEMENT species of India (Rahmani 1988, Javed & Rahmani 1998) The Yellow-throated Bulbul Pycnonotus xantholaemus needs such as the Swamp Francolin, Bengal Florican, and Yellow boulder-strewn tropical thorn forest Weaver or Finn’s Weaver Ploceus megarhynchus. Javed &

25 Important Bird AND BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – AVIFAUNA OF INDIA

species during the one year study between November near villages, that are important for water and agricultural 2013 and November 2014 (Rahmani et al. 2015a). About security of the State. Many of these wetlands are important 281 bird species have been listed in one year study at Suheldoe for breeding of Sarus Crane. The Wildlife Trust of India (= Suhelwa) Wildlife Sanctuary (Rahmani et al. 2015b). has listed 27 Important Sarus Wetlands in eastern Uttar The Gangetic Plains Biogeographic Zone is also important Pradesh. for many Near Threatened species, especially Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster, Painted Stork Mycteria 9. NORTHEAST INDIA leucocephala, Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus Northeast India is one of the biodiversity hotspots of asiaticus, Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus, the world. There are various classifications of this region, Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca, and Black-bellied Tern but for this chapter we have followed Rodgers & Panwar Sterna acuticauda. (1988) and Rodgers et al. (2000). They have included the The Gangetic Plains form almost 11% of the land states of Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, surface of India. According to Rodgers et al. (2000) it has and Tripura, covering a total area of 171,341 sq. km. The six national parks, covering 2,363.44 sq. km or 0.67% the Northeast is a poorly protected area, with only 1.13% (1,933 total area, and 30 wildlife sanctuaries totalling 5,285.48 sq. km) under nine national parks, and 1.41% (2,421 sq. sq. km or 1.49%. Most of the PAs are rather small and may km) under 28 wildlife sanctuaries (see Eastern Himalaya, not have significant long-term viable populations of large described under the Himalayan Region). mammals and birds. In Uttar Pradesh alone, there are 25 The Northeast is considered the ‘biological gateway’ protected areas, mostly wetland areas. The Government for much of India’s fauna and flora, as Gondwanaland of Uttar Pradesh has identified 133,000 wetlands, mostly first touched this region, during the Tertiary period. It

Globally threatened bird species of the Gangetic Plains

Sr. Species Name Scientific Nams IUCN Status No. of IBAs 1. Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis VU 3 2. Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus VU 16 3. Greater Adjutant Leptoptilos dubius EN 0 4. White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala EN 0 5. Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus VU 0 6. Baikal Teal Anas formosa VU 0 7. Marbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris VU 2 8. Pink-headed Duck Rhodonessa caryophyllacea* EX 0 9. Baer’s Pochard Aythya baeri VU 3 10. Pallas’s Fish-eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus VU 14 11. White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis CR 16 12. Long-billed Vulture Gyps indicus CR 8 13. Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga VU 18 14. Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca VU 3 15. Swamp Francolin Francolinus gularis VU 11 16. Siberian Crane Grus leucogeranus** CR 0 17. Sarus Crane Grus antigone VU 24 18. Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis CR 4 19. Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis VU 3 20. White-browed Bushchat Saxicola insignis VU 0 21. Marsh Babbler Pellorneum palustre VU 0 22. Jerdon’s Babbler Chrysomma altirostre*** VU 1 23. Slender-billed Babbler Turdoides longirostris**** VU 0 24. Bristled Grassbird Chaetornis striatus VU 1 25. Yellow Weaver Ploceus megarhynchus VU 4

CR = Critically Endangered, EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable *Last authentic sight record from Darbhanga, Bihar in 1935. **Not reported in India since 2002 ***Most records from terai of Nepal, likely to occur in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. ****Old record from Uttar Pradesh. Probably occurs in northern West Bengal. Note: As many of the species listed in this table are widespread, they may be present in more IBAs, other suitable wetlands and/or a wider landscape.

26 Important Bird AND BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – AVIFAUNA OF INDIA

represents the transition zone between the Indian, Indo- of Eastern Himalaya have many species with overlapping Malayan, and Indo-Chinese biogeographic regions. Rodgers distribution. Three species breed in this EBA and are found & Panwar (1988) have divided this zone into two provinces: in grassland, scrub, and wetland habitats on the plains, Brahmaputra Valley and the Assam Hills. Stattersfieldet often along rivers, and in the foothills (Stattersfield et al. al. (1998) have identified the Assam Plains (Brahmaputra 1998). The Manipur Bush-Quail Perdicula manipurensis Valley) as one of the Endemic Bird Areas of India. is confined to the foothills, and is supposed to have a The Assam Plains Endemic Bird Area in Assam, lowlands stronghold in the Manipur basin, but no bird has been seen of Sikkim, northern West Bengal, parts of Arunachal since 1932. The Black-breasted Parrotbill Paradoxornis Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Meghalaya, is essentially flavirostris is now restricted to few protected grasslands in the floodplain of the mighty Brahmaputra and its tributaries. Kaziranga, Manas, Dibru-saikhowa and D’Ering. The Marsh The main vegetation of the Assam Plains is floodplain forest Babbler Pellorneum palustre needs proper study to know its and grassland, with adjacent strips of undulating land at the distributional range and breeding habitat. base of the foothills which are marshy and have tall elephant The Manipur Bush-quail is endemic to north-east India. grass and forest (Stattersfieldet al. 1998). The Assam Plains It was formerly reported from Chittagong, Chittagong support some of the most threatened bird (and mammal) Hill Tracts and Sylhet districts of Bangladesh but there species of the world. They also support some restricted- is no recent record. Records from Bangladesh should be range birds associated with the remaining grasslands considered unconfirmed (BirdLife International 2001). and wetland habitats found below 1,000 msl. The Assam Even in India, there are very few recent records. Since Plains adjoining the mountains of the Endemic Bird Area the last confirmed records by J.C. Higgins in early 1930s,

A2: Restricted Range Species

Endemic Bird Area 123: Western Ghats

IUCN In Number Sr New Common Name New Scientific Name Status of IBAs 1 Nilgiri Imperial-pigeon *Ducula cuprea - 15 2 Nilgiri Woodpigeon Columba elphinstonii VU 70 3 Grey-fronted Green-pigeon Treron affinis - 31 4 Malabar Parakeet (Blue-winged Parakeet) Psittacula columboides - 69 5 Malabar Grey Hornbill Ocyceros griseus - 61 6 Malabar Barbet (Crimson-fronted Barbet) Xantholaema malabarica (Megalaima rubricapillus)- 28 7 Nilgiri Pipit Anthus nilghiriensis VU 22 8 Malabar Woodshrike Tephrodornis sylvicola - 23 9 Flame-throated Bulbul (Ruby-throated Yellow Bulbul) Pycnonotus gularis (Rubigula gularis) - 20 10 Grey-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus priocephalus NT 57 11 Nilgiri Thrush Zoothera neilgherriensis - 14 12 White-bellied Blue Robin Myiomela albiventris EN 20 13 Nilgiri Blue Robin Myiomela major EN 16 Black-and-Orange Flycatcher 14 Ficedula nigrorufa NT 41 (Black-and-rufous Flycatcher) 15 Nilgiri Flycatcher Eumyias albicaudatus NT 49 16 White-bellied Blue-Flycatcher Cyornis pallipes - 64 17 Wynaad Laughingthrush Dryonastes (Garrulax) delesserti - 33 18 Black-chinned Laughingthrush *Strophocincla cachinnans EN 15 19 Kerala Laughingthrush *Strophocincla fairbanki NT 17 20 Indian Rufous Babbler Turdoides subrufa - 51 21 Indian Broad-tailed Grass-warbler Schoenicola platyururs VU 31 22 Plain (Nilgiri) Flowerpecker Dicaeum concolor - 29 23 Small Sunbird (Crimson-backed Sunbird) Leptocoma minima (Nectarinia minima) - 78 24 Vigor’s Sunbird Aethopyga vigorsii - 6 25 Malabar White-headed Starling Sturnia blythii - 25 26 White-bellied Treepie Dendrocitta leucogastra - 46

*According to Rasmussen and Anderton (2012) the conspecificity of Nilgiri Imperial-pigeon Ducula cuprea require further study. *Foot Note: Based on Rasmussen & Anderton (2012), BirdLife International (2011) have recognized two species Strophocinla (Trochalopteron) fairbanki (including meridionalis) and S. cachinnans (including jerdoni). The taxonomy of the montane laughingthrushes of the Western Ghats is disputed. Nameer and Praveen (2012) and Praveen and Nameer (2012) have identified four species in the Western Ghats. These include the Banasura Laughingthrush Strophocincla jerdoni, Nilgiri Laughingthrush Strophocinla cachinnans, Palni Laughingthrush Strophocinla fairbanki, Travancore Laughingthrush Strophocinla meridionale. (Nomenclature as per Rasmussen and Anderton 2012, previous names are given in brackets, wherever changed)

27 Important Bird AND BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – AVIFAUNA OF INDIA

Restricted range species of the Assam Plains Endemic Bird Area

Sr. Species Name Scientific Name IUCN Category Number of IBAs

1. Manipur Bush Quail Perdicula manipurensis VU 1* 2. Marsh Babbler Pellorneum palustre VU 8 3. Black-breasted Parrotbill Paradoxornis flavirostris VU 8

VU = Vulnerable, *Likely to occur in at least one IBA

species and subspecies of birds have been recorded from the Andaman and Nicobar Islandsby various workers, of which 105 are endemic species and subspecies (Sankaran & Vijayan 1993). Thus, while the islands form only 0.25% of the landmass of the Subcontinent, they hold 12% of the endemic avifauna of the region (Sankaran 1998), making the islands priority areas for conservation. The highest conservation priority species are the Nicobar Megapode or Scrubfowl Megapodius nicobariensis, Edible-nest Swiftlet Collocalia fuciphaga inexpectata, Andaman Teal Anas albogularis, and Narcondam Hornbill Aceros narcondami. There are two subspecies of the Nicobar Megapode: North Nicobar Megapode Megapodius nicobariensis nicobariensis and South Nicobar Megapode M. n. abbotti. SACON has been working on this species since 1995 (Sankaran 1995a, Sankaran & Sivakumar 1999,

GIRISH JATHAR Vijayan et al. 2000, Sivakumar 2000), and the Wildlife Four IBAs have been identified based on the presence of the Institute of India since 2004 (Sivakumar 2007). Following the Critically Endangered Forest Owlet Heteroglaux blewitti tsunami in December 2004, populations have disappeared completely from two islands, Trak and Megapod, and the only in 2006, Dr Anwaruddin Choudhury saw a bird in total number of breeding pairs is estimated to be between Manas National Park. There is one unconfirmed records 395–790 (Sivakumar 2010), with the majority on Great from Dibru-Saikhowa Wildlife Sanctuary, India, in March Nicobar (405) and Little Nicobar (165) (Sivakumar 2007, 1998 (Allen 1998). Choudhury (2009) during his surveys 2010). It has declined by almost 70% as the littoral forests and discussions with locals from 1988 to 2001, then from have been heavily destroyed. Rahmani (2012) has given October 2001 to February 2002 did not find any evidence latest status information. The species is now in IUCN of this species in Manipur. Vulnerable category. Edible-nest Swiftlets are widely distributed on the Secondary Bird Areas of Northern Myanmar islands, with a population estimated at 2,500 to 3,600 lowlands breeding pairs (Sankaran 1995b). The major threat is This Secondary Area is defined by the range of Chestnut- excessive and unregulated nest collection. This species backed Laughingthrush Dryonastes (=Garrulax) nuchalis belongs to the ‘white nest swiftlet’ group, whose nests are which is found in the foothills of eastern Arunachal Pradesh, made entirely of agglutinated saliva, and are of very high Nagaland, and Manipur, and in the upper Chindwan and commercial value in the international market. At Port Blair, Mali Hka watersheds in northeast Myanmar (Sttatersfield a kilogram of nests (one kg normally consists of 70–125 et al. 1988). This bird has also recently been recorded from nests) fetches between Rs. 15,000 and 20,000 or more. Ravi Upper Dihing (East Complex) in Tinsukia, Assam. Sankaran found that virtually all colonies are exploited, and nests are collected irrespective of whether there are eggs or 10. ISLANDS chicks in them, with serious impact on the species. However, The Andaman & Nicobar Islands, consisting of over 560 during the last ten years, the Forest Department has given islands and rocks, covering about 8,249 sq. km, are the peaks very good protection of some major nesting colonies, with of a submerged mountain range, arching from Myanmar 24-hour vigilance during the breeding season. to Sumatra. The vegetation is mainly tropical evergreen, The Narcondam Hornbill is endemic to the tiny (c. 7 sq. with some grasslands in the inland areas. The 1,962 sq. km) island of Narcondam, east of the Andaman Islands. km coastline is mainly covered by mangroves. About 270 The population was estimated between 330 and 360 birds

28 Important Bird AND BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – AVIFAUNA OF INDIA

during the study in 1998 showing a decline (Sankaran 1998) from the record of 400 in 1972 as reported by Hussain (1984). However, during fieldwork in 2000 the population was estimated to be 432 individuals (Yahya & Zarri 2002). Another short-term study was carried out between January and March 2003 on roosting and nesting (Vivek & Vijayan 2003) and the population estimate was at 320-340 birds which was similar to that of the earlier study but lower than that of Yahya & Zarri (2002). Some of these differences could be due to different census techniques. In a detailed study in 2013-14, Shirish Manchi of SACON estimate the numbers could be between 700-900 individuals. The most serious threat to Narcondam Hornbill is now from the radar station that is under construction by the Government of India, despite stiff opposition by conservationists. This is being done ostensibly in the name of ‘national security’. According to Rodgers et al. (2000), the Islands which constitute only 0.25% of India’s geographical area, have eight national parks and 94 wildlife sanctuaries, covering a total area of c. 1,529 sq. km. This is about 18.54% of the land surface. It should be noted that many of the larger PAs SIMON COOK/BirdLife International are tribal areas and not strictly free from human occupation. The Jerdon’s Courser Rhinoptilus bitorquatus is adapted Nevertheless, as the tribal pressure is low and sustainable, to lightly grazed scrub area some of the finest forests of India are seen in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. geographical area of 3,200 ha. It consists of a group of 36 Among the globally threatened species in Andaman coral islands covering 12 atolls, three reefs, and the rest & Nicobar, there is one Critically Endangered species, periodically submerged sandbanks. Only 11 islands are Christmas Island Frigatebird Fregata andrewsi with one inhabited, namely Agatti, Amini, Andrott, Bangaram, Bitra, stray sight record, one Endangered species, Narcondam Chetlat, Kadmat, Kalpeni, Kavaratti, Kiltan, and Minicoy. Hornbill, and three Vulnerable species (Andaman Teal Anas Minicoy is the southernmost island of this archipelago and is albogularis, Nicobar Sparrowhawk Accipiter butleri, and separated from the rest of the islands by a 9o Channel, about Nicobar Megapode. Besides this, 16-18 Near Threatened 180 km in width, and from the neighbouring Maldives to the species are found, mostly endemic species. If detailed studies south by an 8o Channel of about 120 km. These islands are are conducted on each island, perhaps we may get better irregularly scattered in the southern Arabian Sea and are status information and some of the Near Threatened species about 280 to 480 km west of Kochi (=Cochin) on the Kerala may be uplisted, as many islands are under the threat of coast (Das 2002). disturbance due to military and developmental activities. Minicoy (4.37 sq. km) is the largest island, with a very high human population density of 1,513 per sq. km. Unlike Restricted Range species in the Andaman & Nicobar the Andaman & Nicobar Islands which are continental, the Islands Lakshadweep Islands are oceanic, thus the biodiversity Stattersfieldet al. (1988) had identified 13 restricted-range is not so rich. Habitat diversity is also poor. According to species in Andaman Islands and nine in the Nicobar Islands. Daniels (1991), till now only 67 species of birds have been Based on the taxonomic changes and identification of some authentically reported. Fifty per cent of these are migratory new species, the list now stands as 19 species in Andaman waders and typically oceanic birds such as terns, skuas, and 12 species in Nicobar. Most of them are forest-dwelling petrels, and boobies. Of the 34 species of land birds and species, but a few appear to be quite common in disturbed inland waterbirds, only 14 are possibly resident in one or forest also. Many islands in Middle and South Andaman more of the islands (Daniels 1991). The uninhabited Pitti have limited access, so information about them is lacking. Island is a bird sanctuary where a very large colony of Sooty Four species of Andamans are shared with the Nicobar Tern Sterna fuscata, Great or Large Crested Tern Sterna Islands, indicating the affinity between the two EBAs (see bergii, and Noddy Tern Anous stolidus is found. Another Ripley & Beehler 1989, Stattersfield et al. 1998). colony is present in Cherbaniani Island. On some of the The Lakshadweep (8o 15’ to 11o 45’ N; 72o 00’ to 74o 00’ islands of the archipelago, Wedge-tailed Shearwater Puffinus E) archipelago is the smallest Union Territory and has a lherminieri and boobies Sula spp. could be breeding.

29 Important Bird AND BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – AVIFAUNA OF INDIA

A2: Restricted Range Species

Endemic Bird Area 125: Andaman Islands

IUCN In Number of Sr. Common Name Scientific Name Status IBAs 1 Andaman Serpent-eagle Spilornis elgini NT 15

2 Nicobar Megapode *Megapodius nicobariensis VU 2

3 Andaman Teal Anas albogularis VU 7

4 Andaman Crake Rallina canningi NT 13

5 Andaman Green-pigeon Treron chloropterus NT 9

6 Andaman Woodpigeon Columba palumboides NT 16

7 Andaman Cuckoo-dove Macropygia rufipennis NT 16

8 Andaman Coucal Centropus andamanensis - 13

9 Andaman Scops-owl Otus balli NT 12

10 Andaman Hawk-owl (Andaman Boobook) Ninox affinis NT 16

11 Narcondam Hornbill Rhyticeros (Aceros) narcondami EN 1

12 Andaman Woodpecker Dryocopus hodgei NT 13

13 Andaman Cuckooshrike Coracina dobsoni - 1

14 Andaman Bulbul Microtarsus fuscoflavescens - 1

15 Andaman Shama Copsychus albiventris - 1

16 Andaman Flowerpecker Dicaeum virescens - 1

17 Andaman Drongo Dicrurus andamanensis NT 15

18 Andaman White-headed Starling Sturnus erythropygia - 17

19 Andaman Treepie Dendrocitta bayleyi NT 13

Following Endemics are added after they are split by Rasmussen and Anderton (2012):Andaman CuckooshrikeCoracina dobsoni, Andaman Bulbul Microtarsus fuscoflavescens, Andaman Shama Copsychus albiventris, Andaman Flowerpecker Dicaeum virescens. *As per BirdLife: Nicobar Scrubfowl (Megapodius nicobariensis)

Endemic Bird Area 126: Nicobar Islands

IUCN In Number of Sr New Common Name Scientific Name Status IBAs 1 Great (South) Nicobar Serpent-eagle Spilornis klossi (S. minimus) NT 3

2 Nicobar Sparrowhawk Accipiter butleri VU 3

3 Nicobar Megapode Megapodius nicobariensis VU 2

4 Nicobar Imperial-pigeon* Ducula nicobarica LC -

5 Andaman Woodpigeon Columba palumboides NT 16

6 Andaman Cuckoo-dove Macropygia rufipennis NT 16

7 Nicobar Parakeet Psittacula caniceps NT 1

8 Andaman Nightjar Caprimulgus andamanicus LC

9 Andaman Hawk-owl (Andaman Boobook) Ninox affinis NT 16

10 Nicobar Bulbul Ixos nicobariensis (Hypsipetes nicobariensis) NT 1

11 Nicobar Jungle-flycatcher Cyornis nicobaricus (Rhinomyias nicobaricus) - -

12 Andaman White-headed Starling Sturnus erythropygia - 17

Following Endemics are added after they are split by Rasmussen and Anderton (2012): Nicobar Imperial-pigeon Ducula nicobarica and Andaman Nightjar Caprimulgus andamanicus.

30 Important Bird AND BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – AVIFAUNA OF INDIA

Globally Threatened species found in the Coasts Biogeographic Zone

Sr. Species Name Scientific Nams IUCN Status No. of IBAs 1. Masked Finfoot Heliopais personata VU 1 2. Spotted Greenshank Tringa guttifer EN 2 3. Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhyncghus pygmeus CR 3

CR = Critically Endangered, EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable

11. COASTS in India, Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris is dependent on The coastline of India, excluding the Andaman & Nicobar mudflats and coastal beaches. It is a rare winter visitor to Islands, is about 7,500 km. The coasts are perhaps the the east coast, with regular sightings from Point Calimere, most neglected biogeographic zone of India, mainly because Pulicat lake, and Marine National Park in the Gulf of charismatic species are not found here. Nonetheless, the Mannar, Chilika lake, Bhitarkanika, and Sundarbans. coasts do have fabulous bird concentrations, as seen in Besides these globally threatened Indian species, there Chilika Lake and Bhitarkanika in Orissa, Point Calimere are up to 40 species of common birds that depend totally or Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, Sunderbans in West partially on mudflats for foraging and resting. Inundated Bengal, Sewri mudflats in Maharashtra, and Kori Creek mudflats provide foraging sites for a few gull and tern in Gujarat. species. The exposed areas of mudflats are roosting sites The mangroves which are the best example of coastal for thousands of terns, gulls, and ducks. Mudflats that are vegetation, are present only in a small part of the Indian inundated twice a day by high tide are important feeding coast as they require special habitat requirement that are areas for flamingos, the classical example being the Sewri not found all along the coast. They grow best in tidal creeks, and Thane mudflats near Mumbai where thousands of Lesser sheltered shores, backwaters and salt marshes. The Coastal Flamingos can be seen from November to June, along with a Region is an interface between land and water, where the million small waders. Narara, Diu, and Gulf of Khambat in plant biodiversity provides a barrier against erosion by Gujarat are other important mudflats of India. The coasts of the sea. The major part of any coastline, and India is no Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and West Bengal also have extensive exception, consists of mudflats, sandy beaches, rocky shores, mudflats, but all of them are under severe threat from lagoons, and sometimes just plain rocks (best seen in small development. Masked Finfoot Heliopais personata has not conical islands that are the tops of submerged mountains). been confirmed from Indian Sundarbans but it is regularly Even within these habitat types, there are many subtypes, seen in Bangladesh Sundarbans (Rahmani 2012). each with its unique biodiversity. Besides the sandy beaches and rocky outcrops which are Among the globally threatened species of the Indian important as foraging sites for many waders, the mangroves coast, the rarest is Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhyncghus serve as breeding grounds for many species such as egrets, pygmeus with few old records but no recent record (Rahmani herons, storks, warblers, and raptors. A checklist of some birds 2012). Another globally threatened bird found in India associated with the mangroves of Ratnagiri was prepared by is Spotted Greenshank Tringa guttifer, earlier known as Samant (1985). Deshmukh (1990) identified 147 species of Nordmann’s Greenshank, listed as Endangered by BirdLife birds from the mangrove swamps of Vikhroli, near Mumbai. International and IUCN that stated “it has a very small According to Rodgers et al. (2000), the Coasts population which is declining as a result of the development Biogeographic Zone covers about 83,000 sq. km, 2.52% of of coastal wetlands throughout its range, principally for India’s geographical area. There are five national parks industry, infrastructure projects and aquaculture.” It is a covering an area of 1,731 sq. km, and 21 wildlife sanctuaries rare winter visitor to India with confirmed records only from totalling about 3,888 sq. km. The total coastal area under Point Calimere. Among the Vulnerable category of birds legal protection of some kind is c. 5,600 sq. km.

31 Important Bird AND BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – AVIFAUNA OF INDIA

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(1977) Field guide to the birds of the Eastern Himalayas. Third web supplement). impression 1979 ed. Oxford University Press, New Delhi. Grimmett, R. and Inskipp, C. and Inskipp, T. (1998) Birds of the Indian Ali, S. and Ripley, S. D. (1971) Handbook of the Birds of India subcontinent. AandC. Black/Christopher Helm, London. and Pakistan. Vol. 7. Oxford University Press, New Delhi., Grimmett, R. and Inskipp, T. (2003) Birds of Northern India. Oxford page 238. University Press, New Delhi. Ali, S. and Ripley, S. D. (1987) Compact Edition of the Handbook Hargitt, E. (1890) Catalogue of the birds in the collection of the of the Birds of India and Pakistan. Oxford University Press, British Museum, 18-Picidae. British Museum, London. New Delhi. Howes, J. R. (1995) Conservation and Sustainable Use of Floodplain Allen, D. (1998) Report to the Indian Forestry Service concerning Wetlands. Asian Wetland Bureau, Kuala Lumpur, 123 pp. the Amarpur area of the Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve. (Proceedings of the Workshop on the Conservation and Unpublished. Sustainable Use of Floodplain Wetlands, December 1993, Baqri, Q. H. and Kankane, P. L. (2001). Deserts: Thar In: Ecosystems Calcutta - AWB Publication No. 113. of India. ENVIS – Zool. Surv. India, Kolkata. Pp. 93–122. del Hoyo, Joseph del, Elliott, A. and Sargatal, J. (1994) Handbook Bhushan, B. (1994) Ornithology of Eastern Ghats. PhD. Thesis, of the Birds of the World. Vol. II, New World Vulture to Bombay University, Bombay. Guineafowl, Lynx Edicion, Barcelona. BirdLife International (2001) Threatened Birds of Asia: the del Hoyo, J. and Collar, N.J. (2014) HBW and BirdLife International BirdLife International Red Data Book. BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Non- Cambridge, U.K. passerines. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. BirdLife International (2015) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded Hussain, S. A. (1984) Some aspects of the Biology and Ecology of from http://www.birdlife.org. Narcondam Hornbill (Rhyticeros narcondami). JBNHS 81: BirdLife International (undated) Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in 1–18. Asia: Project briefing book. BirdLife International, Cambridge, Jayakar, S.D. (1967) The Purple Wood Pigeon (Columba punicea, U.K., unpublished. Blyth) and the Himalayan Tree Pie (Dendrocitta formosae Butchart, S. H. M., Collar, N. J., Crosby, M. J. and Tobias, J. A. Swinhoe) in Orissa. JBNHS 64: 109. (2005) “Lost’ and poorly-known birds: tops targets for birders Jeganathan, P. Green, R. E., Bowden, C. G. R., Norris, K., Pain, D. in Asia. BirdingAsia 3: 41-49. and Rahmani, A. (2002) Use of tracking strips and automatic Chatterjee, A., Chandan, P., Gautam, P. and Droz, B. H. (2002) cameras for detecting Critically Endangered Jerdon’s Courser High Altitude Wetlands of Ladakh: A Conservation Initiative. Rhinoptilus bitorquatus in scrub jungle in Andhra Pradesh, World Wide Fund for Nature-India. India. Oryx 36(2): 182–188. Cherian, P. T. (2000) Deccan Peninsula. In.: Alfred, J. R. B., A. K. Jeganathan, P. Green, R. E., Norris, K., Vogiatzakis, I. N., Bartsch, Das, and A. K. Sanyal (2002) Ecosystems of India, ENVIS – A., Wotton, S. R., Bowden, C. G. R., Griffiths, G. H., Pain, D. Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata: 1–410. and Rahmani, A. R. (2004) Modelling habitat selection and Choundhury, A.U. (2006) A Pocket Guide to the Birds of Arunachal distribution of the critically endangered Jerdon’s Courser Pradesh. Gibbon Books and The Rhino Foundation for Nature Rhinoptilus bitorquatus in scrub jungle: an application of a in NE India. pp. 109. new tracking method. J. Applied Ecology 41: 224–237. Choudhury, A.U. (2008) Survey of mammals and birds in Dihang- Jeganathan, P. and Wotton, S. R. (2004) The first recordings of Dibang Biosphere Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh. Final Report to calls of the Jerdon’s Courser Rhinoptilus bitorquatus (Blyth), Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India. The Family Glareolidae. JBNHS. 101: 26–28. Rhino Foundation for nature in NE India, Guwahati. 70 pp. Javed, S. and Rahmani, A. R. (1998) Conservation of the avifauna Choudhury, A.U. (2009) Significant recent ornithological records of Dudwa National Park, India. Forktail 14: 55–64. from Manipur, north-east India with an annotated checklist. Krishna Raju, K. S. R. (1985) Checklist of the Birds of Visakapatnam Forktail 25: 71–89. Region. Andhra Pradesh Natural History Society. Pp.1–25. Daniel, J. C., Bhushan, B. and Sekar, A. G. (1986) Rediscovery of the Ludlow, F. and Kinnear, N.B. (1944) The birds of south-eastern golden gecko Calodactylodes aureus (Beddome) in the Eastern Tibet. Ibis 86: 43–86, 176–208, 348–389. Ghats of Andhra Pradesh. JBNHS. 83: 15–16. Mehta, H. S. and Julka, J. M. (2002) Mountains: North-west Daniels, R. J. R (1991) Island biogeography of birds of the Himalaya. In: Alfred, J. R. B. (ed) Fauna Diversity of India. Lakshadweep archipelago, Indian Ocean. JBNHS. 88:320– ENVIS Centre, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkatta. 328. Mooney, H. F. (1934) Occurrence of the Purple Wood-Pigeon Daniels, R. J. R. (1997) A Field Guide to the Birds of the Southwestern [Alsocomus puniceus (Tickell)] in Singhbhum Dist., Bihar and

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Orissa. JBNHS 37: 735. nilghiriensis. Current Science 107 (4): 622–630 Mundkur, T., Rishad, P., Khachar, S. and Naik, R.M. (1989) Hitherto Rodgers, W. A. and Panwar, H. S. (1988) Planning a Wildlife unreported nest site of Lesser Flamingo Phoenicopterus minor Protected Area Net-work in India. 2 vols. Willdife Institute of in the Little Rann of Kutch. JBNHS. 86(3): 281–285. India, Dehra Dun. Nandi, S. N., Pant, R. and Rao, K. S. (2000). Indian Himalaya: Rodgers, W. A., Panwar, H. S. and Mathur, V. B. (2000). Wildlife a demographic database. ENVIS Monograph 2, G.B. Pant Protected Area Network in India: A Review (Executive Summary Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, ). Wildlife Institute of India, Dehra Dun. Almora, India Pp 75. Samant, J. (1985) Avifauna of the mangroves around Ratnagiri, Pullaiah, T. (2002) Eastern Ghats. In.: Alfred, J. R. B., Das, A. K. Maharashtra. Pp 456-466 in L. J. Bhosale, (Edit). Proceedings of and Sanyal, A. K. (2002) Ecosystems of India. ENVIS – Zool. National Symposium on Biology, Utilization and Conservation Surv. India, Kolkata: 1–410. of Mangroves, November 1985. Shivaji University Press, Rahmani, A. R. (1988) Grassland Birds of the Indian Subcontinent: Kolhapur, India. A Review. In: Ecology and Conservation of Grassland Birds Sankaran, R. (1995a) The distribution, status and conservation of (ed. P. D. Goriup). Pp 187-204. ICBP Technical Publication No. the Nicobar Megapode Megapodius nicobariensis. Biological 7. ICBP, Cambridge, U.K. Conservation. 72: 17–26. Rahmani, A. R. (1996a). Changing avifauna of the Thar Desert. Sankaran, R. (1995b) Impact assessment of nest collection on the pp 305-324. In Faunal Diversity in the Thar Desert: Gaps in Edible-nest Swiftlet in the Nicobar Islands. SACON Occasional Research (eds. Ghosh, A. K., Baqri, Q. H. and Prakash, I.). Report 1. Coimbatore: Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur. Natural History. Rahmani, A. R. (1996b) Management priorities for steppe birds in Sankaran, R. (1998) An annotated list of the endemic avifauna of India. In: Conservacion de las Aves Esteparias y su Habitat the Nicobar Island. Forktail 13: 17–22. (eds J. F. Gutierrez and J. Sanz-Zuasti). Pp 59-68. Junta de Sankaran, R. and Vijayan, L. (1993) The avifauna of the Andaman Castilla y Leon, Valladolid, Spain. and Nicobar Islands: A review and the current scenario. Pp Rahmani, A. R. (1997a). Wildlife in the Thar. pp 100. World Wide 255-271. In Verghese, A., Sridhar, S. And Chakravarthy, A. K. Fund for Nature: New Delhi. (eds.): Bird conservation strategies for the nineties and beyond. Rahmani, A. R. (1997b). The Effect of Indira Gandhi Nahar Project Ornithological Society of India, Bangalore. on the Avifauna of the Thar Desert. JBNHS 94: 233-266. Sankaran, R. and Sivakumar, K. (1999) Preliminary results Rahmani, A.R. (2012) Threatened Birds of India: Their Conservation of ongoing study of the Nicobar Megapode Megapodius Requirements. Indian Bird Conservation Network: Bombay nicobariensis Blyth. Zoologiszhe Verhandelingen, Leiden. Natural History Society, Royal Society for the Protection of 327: 75–90. Birds and BirdLife International. Oxford University Press. Sankaran, R., Rahmani, A.R. and Lachungpa, U. G. (1992) The Pp xvi + 864. Distribution and status of the Lesser Florican Sypheotides Rahmani, A. R. and Soni, R. G. (1997) Avifaunal changes in the indica (J. F. Miller) in the Indian subcontinent. JBNHS. 89: Indian Thar Desert. J. Arid Environment 36: 687–703. 156–179. Rahmani, A.R., Bhargava, R. and De, R. (2015a) Avifaunal Studies Shah N. and Qureshi, Q. (2015) Habitat Occupancy and Population at Sohagi Barwa Wildlife Sanctuary: Final Report. Bombay distribution of Flamingos & Wintering Cranes in Gujarat. Final Natural History Society, Mumbai. Pp. Technical Report submitted to WWF-India. Pp. 97. Rahmani, A.R., Bhargava, R. and De, R. (2015b) Avifaunal Studies Sharma, B.K., Kulshreshtha, S. and Rahmani, A.R. (Eds) (2013) at Suheldev Wildlife Sanctuary: Final Report. Bombay Natural Faunal Heritage of Rajasthan, India. 2 volumes. (Eds. B.K. History Society, Mumbai. Pp. 110. Sharma,). Springer, New York, USA. Rahmani, A.R. and Nair, M.V. (2015) Threatened Birds of Odisha. Sivakumar, K. (2000) A study on breeding behavior of the Nicobar Indian Bird Conservation Network, Bombay Natural History Megapode Megapodius nicobariensis. PhD. Thesis. Bharathiar Society, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, and BirdLife University, Coimbatore International. Oxford University Press, New Delhi. Pp. 178. Sivakumar, K. (2007) Impact of tsunami on the Nicobar Megapode. Rasmussen, P.C. and Anderton, J.C. (2005) Birds of South Asia: the Research Report No. RR 07/002. Wildlife Institute of India, Ripley guide. Vols 1 & 2. Smithsonian Institution and Lynx Dehradun. 48 pp. Edicions, Washington, D.C. and Barcelona. Sivakumar, K. (2010) Impact of tsunami on the Nicobar megapode Rasmussen, P.C. and Anderton, J.C. (2012) Birds of South Asia: The Megapodius nicobariensis. Oryx 44(1):71–78. Ripley Guide. Vols 1 & 2. 2nd edn. National Museum of Natural Stattersfield, A. J., Crosby, M. J., Long, A. J. and Wege, D. C. (1998) History, Smithsonian Institution, Michigan State University, & Endemic Bird Areas of the World: Priorities for Biodiversity Lynx Edicions, Washington, D.C., Michigan & Barcelona. Conservation. BirdLife Conservation Series No. 7. BirdLife Ripley, S. D. (1982) A synopsis of the birds of India and Pakistan, International, Cambridge, U.K. together with those of Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. Subramanya, S. (2004) Does the Yellow-throated Bulbul Pycnonotus Bombay Natural History Society, Bombay. xantholaemus occur in Orissa? Newsletter for Ornithologists Ripley, S. D., Beehler, B. M., and Krishna Raju, K. S. R. (1987-88) 1 (3): 39–40. Birds of Visakapatnam Ghats, Andhra Pradesh, (Parts 1and2) Subramanya, S., Prasad, J. N. and Karthikeyan, S. (1995) In JBNHS. 84(3) and 85(1): 540–559; 90–107. search of the Yellow-throated Bulbul. Sanctuary-Asia 15(5): Robin, V.V., Vishnudas, C,K. and Ramakrishnan, U. 68–70. (2014). Reassessment of the distribution and threat status Subramanya, S., Prasad, J. N. and Karthikeyan, S. (1993) Status of the Western Ghats endemic bird, Nilgiri Pipit Anthus and habitat requirements of Yellow-throated Bulbul. Pp 111.

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In A. Verghese, S. Sridhar and A. K. Chakravarthy (eds). Bird Vijayan, L., Sankaran, R., Sivakumar, K. and Murugan, V. (2000) conservation strategies for the nineties and beyond. Bangalore: A Study on the ecology, status and conservation perspectives Ornithological Society of India. of certain rare and endemic avifauna of the Andaman and Trevor Price, D. (1978) Some observations on the Warbler population Nicobar islands. Pp. 184. Final Report of the Project. SACON, of the upland perennial wetlands in the Eastern Ghats. Coimbatore. JBNHS. 75(2): 488–490. Vivek R. and Vijayan V. S. (2003). Ecology and Conservation of Trevor Price, D. (1979) The seasonality and occurrence of birds the Narcondam Hornbill (Aceros narcondami) at Narcondam in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh. JBNHS. 76(3): Island Sanctuary, India. SACON. 379–422. Yahya. S. A. and Zarri, A. A. (2002). Status, Ecology and Behaviour Whistler, H. and Kinnear, N. B. (1930-37) The vernay scientific of Narcondam Hornbill (Aeceros narcondami) in Narcondam survey of the Eastern Ghats-Ornithological Section (16 Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. JBNHS 93: parts). JBNHS. 34–39: 720–735; 505–524; 67–93; 96–105; 434–445. 418–437. Zarri, A. A., Rahmani, A.R., Singh, A. and Kushwaha, S.P.S. (2008) Wikramanayake, E., Dinerstein, E., Loucks, C. J., Olson, D. M., Habitat suitability assessment for the endangered Nilgiri Morrison, J., Lamoreux, J., McKnight, M. and Hedao, P. (2002) Laughingthrush: A multiple logistic regression approach. Terrestrial Ecoregions of the Indo-Pacific: A Conservation Current Science 94 (11): 1487–1494. Assessment. Island Press, Washington.

34 Important Bird and biodiversity Areas in India – OBJECTIVES AND METHODS OF IBA PROGRAMME

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS OF THE INDIAN IBA PROGRAMME RAVI SANKARAN RAVI

People’s involvement in conservation to the protection of species that are generally found outside protected areas AIMS OF THE INVENTORY

he IBA Programme aims to identify, document, and l Help build regional and national networks of Tadvocate the protection and management of a network ornithologists and conservationists of sites that are important for the long-term viability of l Help identify future priorities for birds and biodiversity naturally occurring bird populations across the geographic conservation action range of those bird species for which a site-based approach is l Provide decision makers with high quality biodiversity appropriate. The main aim of the Indian IBA Inventory is to information for sustainable land and resource use document and protect a network of sites which covers all the l Assist governments in the implementation of habitats and species. Given that birds are good indicators of international agreements such as the Convention on overall biological diversity, most IBAs will also be important Biological Diversity for other animals and plants, particularly those which are l Provide material for education and training under great threat. This Inventory is intended to provide l Help build national and regional networks of comprehensive information on IBAs and species and to be ornithologists and conservationists through Indian used as an advocacy tool for site and species conservation, Bird Conservation Network to enable informed decisions. l Influence regional migratory bird agreements The following are the key areas where the IBA Inventory l Help to implement the National Biodiversity Strategy would be useful: and Action Plan l Help identify high biodiversity areas l To form a sound basis for the development of national Site-based approach conservation strategies, including protected areas The IBA programme is a site-based approach, which programme identifies sites of international importance for the l Contribute to the development of national conservation conservation of birds and other biodiversity, and collates strategies, highlight sites which are threatened or and disseminates key information. inadequately protected Birds are one of the best researched taxa in India and a fairly

35 Important Bird and biodiversity Areas in India – OBJECTIVES AND METHODS OF IBA PROGRAMME

reliable indicator of biodiversity loss. Given that birds are habitat protection (Tucker & Heath 1994). IBAs are selected good indicators of overall biological diversity, most IBAs based upon certain global criteria which are common global will also be important for other animals and plants. A conservation currency. In the IBA process, information significant proportion of birds (and other animal and plant on a site is generated through local organizations and species) can be effectively conserved by the protection of ornithologists working in their respective areas. This key sites, either as official protected areas (national parks, process builds institutional capacity and sets an effective sanctuaries, conservation and community reserves) with bird conservation agenda. This means the IBAs could be a necessary and appropriate management, and/or through practical and significant tool for bird conservation. the promotion of sustainable land-use practices. All natural areas are important for conservation, but some need more urgent attention than others. We have prioritised Using birds to set conservation some of the sites on the basis of threatened species, i.e., Red priorities Data Book (RDB) species, restricted range species (RRS), and India is the seventh largest country in the world bird congregations. We have also identified many sites on and comes within the top ten megabiodiversity centres. the basis of those RDB species that are widely distributed Although India has a good protected area system, the PAs in the country, such as the Sarus Crane, Lesser Florican, are not distributed uniformly across the states or across the Great Indian Bustard, and Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus biogeographic zones of the country. Some zones are more well philippensis, knowing full well that we cannot protect all the protected than others (Rodgers & Panwar 1988). Moreover, agricultural fields or wetlands where these birds are found. there are very few areas that are protected on the basis of Imaginative conservation strategies are required to protect birds conservation. Through the IBA programme, we have these species with the cooperation of local communities. identified 554 sites using standardised, internationally The impact of people is seen on all the habitats of India, agreed criteria. These sites are of international significance so much so that many habitats and bird species that depend for the conservation of birds at the global, regional, and on them are becoming severely threatened. Most of the bird national levels. The IBA inventory process has considered species are facing severe threats such as loss or alteration including major existing protected areas, provided they of habitat, poaching, persecution including trapping qualify for IBA criteria. Many non-protected areas that are and egg collection for food and for commercial purposes. large enough to support viable population(s) of threatened Deforestation disturbs forest birds such as the Forest Owlet bird species are also included. Heteroglaux blewitti, hornbills, laughingthrushes, babblers, Ninety two Indian bird species are globally threatened parrotbills, warblers, flowerpeckers, woodpeckers, and with extinction, of these 17 are listed as Critical, 19 species barbets. Plantation or excessive grazing by livestock disturbs as Endangered, 54 are Vulnerable, 3 are Data Deficient. grassland species such as the White-browed Bushchat A further 81 are classified as Near Threatened (BirdLife Saxicola macrorhyncha, the Great Indian Bustard, and the International 2015). Many other supposedly common Lesser Florican. species are also rapidly declining and are in urgent need of Presently, 26 wetlands in India are listed under the conservation action. Ramsar Convention, but through the IBA programme, The IBA approach is not the only answer to bird we have identified 135 sites that qualify the Ramsar conservation but undoubtedly it is one of the important steps Congregation criteria (Islam and Rahmani 2008). These sites for long-term conservation of birds. For some bird species are also important for many threatened species such as the which are thinly and widely distributed, such as the Greater Spot-billed Pelican, Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus, Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga, Lesser Florican Sypheotides Oriental Stork Ciconia boyciana, White-headed Duck Oxyura indicus, Great Indian Bustard Ardeotis nigriceps, and leucocephala, Marbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris, Sarus Crane Grus antigone, the IBA approach may not be Baer’s Pochard Aythya baeri, and Spoon-billed Sandpiper appropriate. The IBA approach is appropriate for those Eurynorhynchus pygmeus (= Calidris pygmea). birds that are restricted to particular habitat(s) or found in One of the main threats for some of the species is their large congregations (e.g., waterbirds). For example, different national and international trade for commercial purposes as pheasants are restricted to different forest types and hence well as for livelihood (Ahmed 1997, 2002). According to the protecting those forest types would ensure the long-term Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of survival of pheasants. Other examples are the harrier (Circus Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), trade in some species, listed spp.) congregation at Velavadar National Park, Gujarat, or in the CITES appendices (Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca, the seabirds of Pitti Island, or waterbird congregations at Green Avadavat Amandava formosa, and Yellow Weaver Chilika Lake and Keoladeo National Park. Ploceus megarhynchus), is banned or regulated depending on The IBAs should form part of a wider, integrated the level of threat. Species that are morphologically similar approach to conservation that includes sites, species, and to certain threatened species, not threatened themselves but

36 Important Bird and biodiversity Areas in India – OBJECTIVES AND METHODS OF IBA PROGRAMME

likely to be confused with endangered ones, are also listed. We have identified IBA sites where these species could find The IBAs protection from illegal trappers. l are places of international significance for the conservation Many globally threatened and restricted range species of birds at the global, regional, or sub-regional level; are declining because of alien species introduced into their l are practical tools for conservation; l habitats. For example, domestic goats were introduced into are chosen using standardised, agreed criteria applied with common sense; Narcondam Island, where they have greatly impacted the l must, wherever possible, be large enough to support self- regeneration of vegetation and thus the nesting sites of the sustaining populations of those species for which they are Endangered Narcondam Hornbill Aceros narcondami (the important; goats are now removed). Another example is the Nicobar l are places which can be defined and distinguished from Bulbul Hypsipetes nicobariensis that is suffering from surrounding areas, and which are feasible to conserve; competition from the introduced Red-whiskered Bulbul l where possible preferentially include, where appropriate, Pycnonotus jacosus whistleri (R. Sankaran, pers. comm. existing Protected Areas; l are not appropriate for all bird species and, for some, are 1998). Attempts were made to identify sites where Nicobar only appropriate in parts of their ranges; Bulbul would have long-term security without the danger l should form part of a wider, integrated approach to of being wiped out by hybridisation. conservation that embraces sites, species, and habitat protection. Species The IBA programme not only covers the 180 globally threatened birds in India (comprising Critically Endangered, l Any strategy for the long-term protection of biotic Endangered, Vulnerable, Near Threatened, and Data diversity should encompass evolutionary and Deficient species) but also covers species that are endemic or biogeographic considerations. The IBA programme have restricted ranges, congregatory birds, and assemblages attempts to take this into account by selecting a network of species that are typical to a habitat or biome. of sites that were spread through most habitats and in different areas of the species distributions. However Habitats subspecific variation was not taken into account. Any As the IBA programme covers a wide array of bird species, future assessment should attempt to include sites where it also ranges across various habitats such as wetlands, different morphs and subspecies (particularly endemic islands, coastal areas, deserts, forests, grasslands, and and restricted range subspecies) are located (Barnes agricultural ecosystems. 1998). l The IBA programme is just one approach to bird Geographic range conservation. It is not the whole or the only answer. IBA Up till 2004, BNHS had organized 15 regional workshops criteria are fairly stringent and many sites that are of to identify IBAs for every state and union territory of India. undoubted local, provincial, and national importance With the exception of Daman and Diu and Chandigarh, fail to qualify as IBAs. This does not mean that they are IBAs were identified for all the states and union territories not important for conservation; on the contrary these of India. Subsequently, 10 regional workshops have been sites often fulfill vital conservation roles at local levels. organized, and based upon new records and field data, 108 It must be emphasized here that sites not designated as more areas have been identified as IBAs, bringing the total IBAs are not dispensable and their role in a wider land- to 554. use conservation strategy may be as vitally important as that of any IBA (Barnes 1998). Limitations of the IBA approach l The IBA approach only works for those species for which “To promote conservation of birds and their habitats a site-based approach is appropriate. Bird species with through development of a national network of highly dispersed or nomadic distributions may not be individuals, organizations, and the government.” protected through this approach. Some bird species are not well protected by the IBA approach (such as PROCESS OF IBA IDENTIFICATION AND large raptors, cranes, and bustards, which are nomadic SELECTION species dispersed at low densities across wide areas). Establishment of Indian Bird Conservation l For others, the IBAs might be appropriate only across Network (IBCN) parts of their range or for parts of their life cycle, (e.g., To conserve bird species and their habitats, the Bombay colonial nesting species that disperse extensively Natural History Society (BNHS) initiated the Important during the non-breeding season) (Barnes 1998). Bird Areas Programme (IBA) in collaboration with BirdLife

37 Important Bird and biodiversity Areas in India – OBJECTIVES AND METHODS OF IBA PROGRAMME ZAFAR-UL ISLAM ZAFAR-UL The IBCN has played a key role in capacity building of many Indian NGOs

International and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds It provides assistance in a way that encourages local (RSPB). In India, numerous studies have been done on birds communities to focus and combine efforts for greater and their habitats, but there was no common platform from impact. In this way, IBCN acts as a conductor, inspiring where the information could be disseminated and pooled. In and directing a network of partners all helping to implement 1998, the BNHS organized a Strategy Planning workshop in a larger strategy for concrete conservation outcomes in Mumbai and invited key ornithologists from across India to India. discuss the issue. It was decided to have a strong network The IBCN publishes a quarterly newsletter MISTNET that of ornithologists and conservationists, and the Indian Bird contains articles and information on bird species (threatened Conservation Network (IBCN) came into existence with the and common), IBAs along with their conservation issues, following mission: “To promote conservation of birds and interventions and advocacy for the protection of biodiversity their habitats through development of a national network and habitats. The IBCN website: www.ibcn.in of individuals, organisations and the Government.” The objectives of the IBCN are (a) research and SOURCEs of Data monitoring, (b) conservation action, (c) network development, Literature Survey (d) awareness and education, (e) policy and advocacy, and The foundation of this project is the data on bird numbers (f) fund raising. and distribution generated through the numerous field The IBCN is one of the leading membership networks surveys and research programmes carried out in India of Indian organizations and individuals who collaborate during the last few decades. Exhaustive literature surveys to promote the conservation of birds in India and the were undertaken and information was gathered from various conservation of biological diversity as a whole. At present, sources including national and international environmental IBCN has more than 900 individual and 120 organizations organizations, individuals, scientists, protected areas staff, as partners, supporting the bird conservation movement in natural history museums (including the Bombay Natural India. Some of the partners are not ornithologists but are History Society, Tring Museum, and British Museum of working on different aspects of environment conservation. Natural History), research institutions, universities, and This network brings together diverse strengths and publications. Unpublished material held by research and expertise focused on strategic conservation objectives. conservation organizations was also analysed during this

38 Important Bird and biodiversity Areas in India – OBJECTIVES AND METHODS OF IBA PROGRAMME

study. This list included records of vagrancy and historical Orissa, Bihar, and Jharkhand. occurrence of bird species, which had to be filtered out. Capacity building workshops Red Data Book Some areas remained unexplored largely due to the lack The main source of information on threatened birds of skilled manpower to execute the surveys. The Indian continues to be the Red Data Book account prepared for Bird Conservation Network conducted several training Asian threatened bird species (BirdLife International 2001 workshops in bird census techniques. A manual on bird and BirdLife website). census techniques (Javed & Kaul 2002) was developed and distributed. Regional workshops and consultation Researchers, ornithologists, local forest officials, bird Final prioritised IBAs enthusiasts, and other individuals were consulted through After detailed analyses and consultation with experts, workshops, meetings, and correspondence to identify a 466 sites were identified as IBAs in 2004 (Islam & Rahmani list of IBAs throughout the country. Emphasis was given to 2004). In 2014, ten years after the Indian IBA inventory the participation of governmental and non-governmental was published it was felt necessary to revise and update the conservation bodies and academic institutions. Regional inventory. BirdLife International has also renamed IBA as workshops were held in which contributions were made Important Bird and Biodiversity Area. Therefore, we worked by a vast network of ornithologists, birdwatchers, forest for two years to revise and update the IBA inventory which department personnel, and conservation experts across now covers 554 sites. India and the world. State coordinators of the Indian The IBA sites are identified on the basis of bird numbers Bird Conservation Network have been involved in collating and species complements that they hold, and are selected and assessing the data for each state in collaboration in such a manner that taken together they form a network with BNHS. The participants reviewed the draft list and throughout the species’ biogeographic distribution. This added and deleted sites based on current information and network may be considered as a minimum essential to ensure possibility of occurrence of species at sites. the survival of threatened species across their ranges, should there occur a net loss of remaining habitat elsewhere through Identification of gaps human or other modification. Therefore, the consequences of There was lack of information from several areas in India the loss of any one of these sites may be disproportionately and for certain species. Sites could not be identified for some large. The continued ecological integrity of these sites will species and several states and districts. This was mainly due be decisive in maintaining and conserving birds for which to lack of adequate data from these areas. a site based approach is appropriate. Legal protection, management, and monitoring of these crucial sites will be Surveys for sites and species important targets for action, and many but not all bird species Surveys were then commissioned and successfully may be effectively conserved by these means. Patterns of bird executed for data deficient species and areas in several states distribution are such that, in most cases, it is possible to select like Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Maharashtra, Kerala, sites that support many species (Heath & Evans 2000).

39 Important Bird and biodiversity Areas in India – OBJECTIVES AND METHODS OF IBA PROGRAMME

Categories and criteria to identify Important Bird Areas

The following categories and criteria are the standard unique animals and plants (although it is recognised that guidelines for the identification of IBAs. These guidelines many species’ ranges may have been severely altered by were used with scientific backup and with common sense. human impact prior to 1800 c e ). Restricted-range landbirds A site must meet at least one of the criteria described below which have become extinct since 1800 c e were included in (BirdLife International, undated). the analysis, because they have helped to identify areas which have concentrations of such taxa (Stattersfield et al. (A1) Globally Threatened species 1998). Seabirds were excluded from the analysis because their The site regularly holds significant numbers of distributions are determined by factors different to those a globally threatened species, or other species which affect landbirds and other terrestrial taxa, and they of global conservation concern. are therefore considered to be best treated as a separate group for conservation purposes (Stattersfield et al. 1998). This category refers to species classified as globally threatened with extinction, Critically Endangered, Endemic Bird Area Endangered, Vulnerable, Conservation Dependent or Data An Endemic Bird Area (EBA) is defined as an area which Deficient according to the IUCN criteria for threatened encompasses the overlapping breeding ranges of restricted- status. The site qualifies if it is known, estimated or thought range bird species, such that the complete range of two or to hold a population of a species as categorized to this IUCN more restricted-range species are entirely included within criteria. Population-size thresholds for globally threatened the boundary of the EBA. This does not necessarily mean species are set regionally, as appropriate, to help in site that the complete ranges of all of an EBA’s restricted-range selection. species are entirely included within the boundary of that The word ‘regular’ and ‘significant’ in the criterion single EBA, as some species may be shared between EBAs definition are intended to exclude instances of vagrancy, (Stattersfield et al. 1998). marginal occurrence, ancient historical records, etc. ‘Regularly’ includes seasonal presence (and at longer Endemic Bird Areas relevant to India: intervals, if suitable conditions themselves only occur at 1. Western Ghats (EBA 123) extended intervals, e.g., temporary wetlands such as Chhari 2. Andaman Islands (EBA 125) Dhand in Kutch district of Gujarat). However, sites that have 3. Nicobar Islands (EBA 126) the potential to hold threatened species, following habitat 4. Western Himalaya (EBA 128) restoration work or re-introductions, may also be considered, 5. Eastern Himalaya (EBA 130) for instance, grasslands sites for the Lesser Florican and/ 6. Assam Plains (EBA 131) or the Great Indian Bustard. Near Threatened (NT) species 7. Southern Tibet (EBA 133) (Though the area can also be included in this category as defined and listed by primarily lies in Tibet, portions of it also extend BirdLife International (2001) and BirdLife website. into India) (For a list of EBAs see Appendix III)

(A2) Restricted-Range Species Secondary Area A Secondary Area (SA) is an area which supports one or more The site is known or thought to hold a significant restricted-range bird species, but does not qualify as an EBA component of the restricted-range species whose because fewer that two species are entirely confined to it. breeding distributions define an Endemic Bird Typically, Secondary Areas include single restricted-range Area (EBA) or Secondary Area (SA). species which do not overlap in distribution with any other such species, and places where there are widely disjunct A Restricted-Range bird species is a landbird which has records of one or more restricted-range species (Stattersfield had, throughout historical times (i.e., post 1800 c e , in the et al. 1998). For example, Taloda IBA is considered as a period since ornithological recording began), a total global Secondary Area as it has only one restricted-range species, breeding range estimated at below 50,000 sq. km. Species the Forest Owlet. with historical ranges estimated to be above this threshold, but which have been reduced to below 50,000 sq. km by Secondary Areas in India: habitat loss or other pressures, were not covered because 1. Eastern Andhra Pradesh (SA 071) the EBA project seeks to locate natural areas of endemism 2. Southern Deccan plateau (SA 072) for birds, which are also likely to be important for other 3. Indus plains (SA 074)

40 Important Bird and biodiversity Areas in India – OBJECTIVES AND METHODS OF IBA PROGRAMME

4. Central Indian forests (SA 075) The Congregatory category has four 5. North Myanmar lowlands (mainly in Myanmar, but subdivisions: also includes lowlands in India) (SA 079) (A4i) Site known or thought to hold, on a regular (For a list of SAs see Appendix III) basis, ≥1% of a biogeographic population of a congregatory waterbird species. For (A3) Biome-Restricted Assemblages the thresholds of this criterion, relevant flyway populations are combined to produce The site is known or thought to hold a significant biogeographic population estimates. component of the group of species whose (A4ii) Site known or thought to hold, on a regular distributions are largely or wholly confined to basis, ≥1% of the global population of a one biome. congregatory seabird or terrestrial species. This category covers non-waterbirds or terrestrial A biome may be defined as a major regional ecological birds or seabirds. community characterised by distinctive life forms and (A4iii) Site known or thought to hold, on a regular principal plant species. No system of global biome basis, ≥20,000 waterbirds or ≥10,000 pairs of classification has been found which can be adequately seabirds of one or more species. Use of this used as a basis for generating bird species lists. Therefore, criterion is discouraged where data quality it is necessary that we should have a regional approach, permits A4i and A4ii to be used. which may result in inter-regional differences but may be (A4iv) Site known or thought to be a ‘bottleneck site’ comparable at the overall scale at which biome divisions where at least 20,000 storks (Ciconiidae), are recognised. raptors (Accipitriformes and Falconiformes), or This category applies to groups of species with largely cranes (Gruidae) pass regularly during spring shared distributions of greater that 50,000 sq. km, which or autumn migration. occur mostly or wholly within all or part of a particular biome and are, therefore, of global importance. Categories of criteria for site selection under the Ramsar Convention (adopted at the The major biomes in India as classified by Conference of the Parties, May 7, 1999) BirdLife International 1. Representative, rare, or unique example of a natural Biome 05 : Eurasian High Montane or near-natural wetland type found within the (Alpine and Tibetan) appropriate biogeographic region. Biome 07 : Sino-Himalayan Temperate Forest 2. Supports Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Biome 08 : Sino-Himalayan Subtropical Forest Endangered species or threatened ecological Biome 09 : Indochinese Tropical Moist Forests communities. Biome 10 : Indian Peninsula Tropical Moist Forest 3. Supports populations of plant and/or animal species Biome 11 : Indo-Malayan Tropical Dry Zone important for maintaining the biological diversity Biome 12 : Indo-Gangetic Plains of a particular biogeographic region. Biome 13 : Saharo-Sindian Desert 4. Supports plant and/or animal species at a critical stage in their life cycles, or provides refuge during (For a list of biome-wise distribution of bird species that qualify adverse conditions. for this criterion for each biome, please see Appendix IV) 5. Regularly supports 20,000 or more waterbirds. 6. Regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a (A4) Congregations global population of one species or subspecies of This category applies to species that congregate at waterbird. sensitive sites when breeding or wintering, or while on passage. The term ‘waterbird’ is used here in the same IBA criteria A4i and A4iii identify wetlands of international sense as the Ramsar Convention uses ‘waterfowl’ and importance (Ramsar Sites), being similar to Ramsar criteria covers the list of families more precisely defined by 5 and 6 respectively (see Box). Wetlands International (Rose & Scott 1994). Congregatory non-waterbird species (A4ii) include both terrestrial Waterbird as seabird species and families of seabirds such as Procellaridae, The term ‘waterbird’ is used in the same sense as that Hydrobatidae, Pelecanidae, Phaethontidae, Sulidae, and used for ‘waterfowl’, seabird, and water-dependent birds Fregatidae. under the Ramsar Convention.

41 Important Bird and biodiversity Areas in India – OBJECTIVES AND METHODS OF IBA PROGRAMME

Biogeographic population Ramsar categories for waterbirds and the IBA criteria. IBA ‘Biogeographic’ is used in the sense of a zoogeographic criteria A1, A4i, and A4iii which are equivalent to Ramsar realm, e.g., the Palaearctic, which are large geographical criteria 2, 5, and 6 were used for identifying IBAs. They regions in which the organisms present tend to be were used for both non-breeding populations of waterbirds different from those of other realms. Thus such regions and for breeding concentrations of some congregatory are characterised largely through the shared distribution species. patterns of many species. All ‘populations’ of a given species Overall the IBA criteria comply with the Ramsar criteria that are resident in or migratory through this region are for birds. However, there is one difference: IBA criteria A4i combined to form the ‘biogeographic population’. We do could be applied to congregations of waterbirds in grassland not have sufficient flyway population information at the and marine habitats (not classifiable as wetland habitat moment, but through the IBA programme we may be able under the Ramsar definition). Some of the congregatory sites, to get good information in future. especially 1% threshold for some waterbirds, may be met in grassland areas (Ramsar Criterion 6). The Ramsar wetland 1% thresholds and applying the criteria definition excludes these sites from consideration under the 1% threshold figures have been defined for all Convention, therefore their eligibility for designation as congregatory waterbird species, including species for which Ramsar Sites has to be considered case-by-case. no thresholds are currently recognised under the Ramsar Convention. Wetlands International has collaborated in GIS based mapping of the IBAs of India generating numeric thresholds from range estimates and Background from unpublished population data. For any work targeted to serve conservation needs, Criteria A4iii and A4iv are applied at the site level only, especially relating to field-based targets, it is crucial not to individual species. to have good quality maps, describing the location and The A4iv criterion embraces sites over which flying its geographic ambience. The idea of preparing maps migrants concentrate, e.g., at narrow sea-crossings, for the present work transcended beyond providing along mountain ranges or through mountain passes. plain maps to actually producing accurate and meaningful Conservation of the land beneath may be necessary to graphic descriptions of the site locations in map form. protect the site and its birds from threats such as shooting The maps are intended to serve as an additional source and the construction of lethal obstacles such as power lines of contextual information that normally gets subdued in wind mill, and high radio masts. Also included under A4iv write-ups, but is crucial for field workers, administrators, are migratory stop-over sites and nocturnal roosts which and site managers for orientation and better may not hold 20,000 or more storks, raptors, or cranes management. at any one time but which, nevertheless, do hold such Another important concern for mapping was to lay the numbers over a relatively short period due to the rapid foundation for a comprehensive GIS based digital database turnover of birds on passage (e.g., roosting sites of Amur for all the IBA locations to serve current as well as future Falcon Falco amurensis). mapping and spatial analysis needs for individual sites or site clusters. In this age of information technology an How IBA criteria relate to the identification of extended target was to keep options open for future web- Ramsar sites under the Ramsar Convention based applications for better information sharing and The Ramsar (or Wetlands) Convention defines a wetland conservation planning. All of these goals and many others as “an area of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether required the mapping to be conducted in a state of art natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water GIS application. Hence, all the GIS based mapping was that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including generated on Environmental Systems Research Institute’s areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does ArcGIS software. not exceed 6m” (Article 1). Article 2.1 of the Convention While creating the GIS generated database, preference also states that “the boundaries of each wetland may was given to global free datasets from various sources. incorporate riparian and coastal zones adjacent to the We have used freely available global datasets for national wetlands, and islands or bodies of marine water deeper and international boundaries, place locations and names, than 6 m at low tide lying within the wetlands, especially digital elevation model and the landuse/landcover where these have importance as waterfowl habitat”. map with adequate modifications. The administrative The criteria for identifying wetlands of international boundaries with approximate accuracy were originally importance under the Ramsar Convention, as adopted taken from the free data server (http://www.cipotato.org/ at the Conference of the Parties on May 7, 1999, fall into diva/data/DataServer.htm) and were updated using the eight categories. There is a strong relationship between the census 2001 snapshots (http://www.undp.org.in/VRSE/

42 Important Bird and biodiversity Areas in India – OBJECTIVES AND METHODS OF IBA PROGRAMME

Links/census.htm) to account for the 2001 redistribution bird species, Endemic Birds, Biomes, Threats and of district boundaries and names. The place names and conservation issues and References. locations were taken from the free gazetteer (http://www. cipotato.org/diva/data/DataServer.htm) and were manually SITE ACCOUNTS corrected for discrepancies. The high resolution Digital Header Elevation Model (DEM) data (http://edcsgs9.cr.usgs. All the site accounts have been written in a standard gov/pub/data/srtm/Eurasia/) was interpolated for the format, with a box header which gives basic information missing values wherever possible. For larger gaps in the on a particular site, such as site name, site code, DEM data at higher resolution, where the interpolation administrative region (state) name, district name, resulted in unacceptable error, the courser resolution coordinates, ownership, area in hectares, ownership, DEM (http://edcsgs9.cr.usgs.gov/pub/data/srtm/SRTM30/) altitude in metres, rainfall in millimetres, temperature was used. The global landcover class names (http://glcf. in centigrade, biogeographic zone (of Rodgers & Panwar umiacs.umd.edu/data/landcover/index.shtml) as described 1988), and habitats. Below the header box, IBA Criteria and in the original dataset were quite different from what is in Protection Status (if protected, with date of establishment practice among Indian field workers. Therefore, the class or not officially protected) are mentioned. names were renamed/merged for the convenience of Indian users. General description This section gives information about the site, its location, DATA PRESENTATION topographical features, physical features, and overview of India has 28 States and six Union Territories. All the the main flora and fauna. state accounts contain an overview of the status of the Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and their Avifauna conservation, followed by a series of site accounts describing This section gives information about the key avifauna, the IBAs in that particular state. and general information pertaining to the number of bird species recorded, if a checklist is available. This section State Accounts also explains why the site has been selected an IBA and State overview, Human population, IBAs, Threatened the criteria used.

Original value Original class name New value New class 0 Water (and Goode’s interrupted space) 0 Water 1 Evergreen Needleleaf Forest 1 Coniferous Forest 2 Evergreen Broadleaf Forest 2 Evergreen Forest 3 Deciduous Needleleaf Forest NA Not Available 4 Deciduous Broadleaf Forest 4 Semi-Evergreen Forest 5 Mixed Forest 5 Mixed Forest 6 Woodland 6 Deciduous Forest 7 Wooded Grassland 7 Open Scrub Forest 8 Closed Shrubland 8 Tropical Thorn Forest 9 Open Shrubland 9 Grassland 10 Grassland 9 Grassland 11 Cropland 10 Cropland 12 Bare Ground 11 Non Forest 13 Urban and Built-up 11 Non Forest

The table below summarises all the links for the free data sources used for preparation of the maps in the present work: Sr. Source Data 1 http://www.undp.org.in/VRSE/Links/census.htm District Boundaries, Names 2 http://www.cipotato.org/diva/data/DataServer.htm Admin. Boundaries, Gazetteer 3 http://glcf.umiacs.umd.edu/data/landcover/index.shtml Global Landcover 4 http://maps.jpl.nasa.gov/pix/ear0xuu2.tif Global DEM 5 http://edcsgs9.cr.usgs.gov/pub/data/srtm/SRTM30/ Global DEM 5 http://edcsgs9.cr.usgs.gov/pub/data/srtm/Eurasia/ High Resolution DEM 6 http://www.maproom.psu.edu/cgi-bin/dcw/dcwarea.cgi?Asia Rivers, Roads

43 Important Bird and biodiversity Areas in India – OBJECTIVES AND METHODS OF IBA PROGRAMME

The general description of avifauna is followed by a table Threats and Conservation Issues presenting data on all the globally threatened species that This section lists the key threats to the site and to the occur in the site, with English and scientific names of the biodiversity, especially to birds. It also includes the research species. This table also provides information on the IUCN done on the site, regular monitoring, conservation and site category for each threatened bird. Below the threatened and management initiatives, awareness programmes aimed at restricted range species table, a table of biome assemblages is biodiversity or on particular bird, and also the management given if the site is identified on the basis of biome criteria. plan, if any, of the site.

Other biodiversity Key contributors This section gives the list of the other fauna found in the This section contains the name of the key persons who helped site, which includes large and small mammals, and sometimes in collecting information on the sites or commented on the key species of herpetofauna are also mentioned. text, and/or in some cases wrote the site account.

Land use Key references This section describes the land use practices, e.g., A list of cited references is given. forestry, tourism, and agriculture.

References

Ahmed, A. (1997) Live Bird Trade in Northern India. WWF/ Bombay Natural History Society, BirdLife International and TRAFFIC-India, New Delhi, 104 pp. Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Oxford University Ahmed, A. (2002) Live bird trade in India. Unpublished report. Press. Pp 592. WWF/ TRAFFIC-India. New Delhi. Javed and Kaul (2002) Field Methods for Bird Surveys. Bombay Barnes, K. N. (ed.) (1998) The Important Bird Areas of Southern Natural History Society, Bombay. Africa. BirdLife South Africa, Johannesberg. Rodgers, W. A. and Panwar, H. S. (1988) Planning a Wildlife BirdLife International (2001) Threatened Birds of Asia: The Protected Area Net-work in India. 2 vols. Willdife Institute BirdLife Red Data Book. BirdLife International, Cambridge, of India, Dehra Dun. UK. Rose, P. M., and Scott, D. A. (1994). Waterfowl Population Es- Heath, M. F. and Evans, M. I. (eds.). (2000) Important Bird Areas in timates. International Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Europe: Priority Sites for Conservation. 2 Vols. BirdLife Conser- Bureau (IWRB Special Publication 29). Slimbridge, UK. vation Series No. 8. BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK. Stattersfield, A. J., Crosby, M. J., Long, A. J. and Wege, D. C. (1998) Islam, Z.A. and Rahmani, A.R. (2004) Important Bird Areas in Endemic Bird Areas of the World: Priorities for Biodiversity India: Priority Sites for Conservation. Indian Bird Conserva- Conservation. BirdLife Conservation Series No. 7. BirdLife tion Network, Bombay Natural History Society and BirdLife International, Cambridge, U.K. pp 846. International (UK). Pp xviii + 1133. Tucker, G. M. and Heath, M. F. (1994) Birds in Europe: Their Islam, Z.A. and Rahmani, A.R. (2008) Potential and Existing conservation status. BirdLife Conservation Series 3. BirdLife Ramsar Sites in India. Indian Bird Conservation Network, International, Cambridge, U.K.

44 Important Bird and BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – NATIONAL OVERVIEW

NATIONAL OVERVIEW OTTO PFISTER OTTO

The Endangered Black-necked Cranes Grus nigricollis breeds only in Ladakh but a very small population found in north of West Bengal and part of Sikkim ANALYSIS AND RESULTS

Status of IBAs Around 90% of IBAs in India are important for one or This IBA Inventory is the revised comprehensive study more of the 92 globally threatened species in India and 47% in which sites have been identified for bird conservation in for the 74 restricted range species found in India. Almost India on the basis of globally accepted criteria. Five hundred all IBAs fall under at least one biome and hold some of the and fifty-four sites have been identified throughout the 374 bird species that fall in the biome criterion. The IBAs country, covering almost all threatened and Near threatened are also important for species that congregate in large species, restricted range species, biome-assemblages and numbers, such as congregatory terrestrial birds, wintering congregatory species (mainly wetland birds) of India. This and passage waterbirds and breeding seabirds. Almost 17% list, however, is dynamic and not a fixed list of sites, as of the IBAs have been identified for these species. it is revised after 12 years. The first edition of the IBA The following are the results of the analysis of the IBA Inventory gave a baseline to improve knowledge on birds, sites on the basis of categories and criteria defined in the especially threatened species. As new sites were identified, methodology. the database on the IBAs and on birds has improved. (Many IBAs qualify more than one criterion so here the total is more than 554.) Categories and criteria met by Indian IBAs The analysis of these 554 IBAs shows that 506 sites have A1: Globally Threatened Species globally threatened species (A1), 240 sites hold restricted There are 92 globally threatened bird species in India range species (A2), and 99 sites qualify biome-restricted (BirdLife International 2015). The key habitats for the assemblages (A3), and 136 sites fit the congregatory (A4) threatened species are wetlands (29 species), forest birds (27 criteria. Many sites fit more than one criterion, and some species), grassland (14) and scrubland (4). There are many sites such as Keoladeo National Park and Chilika Lake bird species which uses many habitat types, for example, qualify all the four criteria. That is why the sum total is the Greater Adjutant Leptoptilos dubius uses forest, wetland more than 554. and urban areas.

45 Important Bird and BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – NATIONAL OVERVIEW

46 Important Bird and BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – NATIONAL OVERVIEW

The Indian IBAs and Criteria

A1- Red Data Book Species; A2- Restricted Range Species; A3- Biome Restricted Species; A4- Congregation

The IUCN categorizes birds in the Red Data List as: A2: Coverage of Restricted Range Species (a) Critically Endangered, 17 species are found in India, There are 74 Restricted Range bird species in India (b) Endangered, 19 species in India, (Stattersfield et al. 1998), many of them are found in (c) Vulnerable, 56 species in India, neighbouring countries also. Twenty-seven of them are (d) Data Deficient, three species: Large-billed Reed- globally threatened. Out of these 74 species, 38 are confined warbler Acrocephalus orinus, Sillem’s Mountain- to India (not found in any other country), of which 10 are finch Leucosticte sillemi and Nicobar Scops-owl Otus globally threatened. Of the remaining 36 species (found alius, in neighboring countries also), 13 are globally threatened (e) Near Threatened, 85 species in India. species. We also found that out of 74 species, 57 restricted The following figures give details about the distributions range species are continental and 22 are island species of the globally threatened species in the IBAs. Vulnerable (Stattersfield et al. 1998). species are found in 84% of the IBAs, while Critically The BirdLife International (2001) has identified seven Endangered species are found in 48% of the IBAs, followed Endemic Bird Areas (EBAs), and five Secondary Areas (SAs) by Endangered and Data Deficient. in India. The EBAs hold more than two restricted range

Distribution of IBAs in different Endemic Bird Areas and Secondary Areas

47 Important Bird and BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – NATIONAL OVERVIEW

48 Important Bird and BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – NATIONAL OVERVIEW

Distribution of IBAs in different Biomes in India species, while SAs are those areas which have only one occur mostly or wholly within all or part of a particular biome restricted range species. In the Western Ghats, 26 restricted and are, therefore, of global importance. range species are found, of which six are globally threatened. The site is known or thought to hold a significant Sixty-six IBAs have been identified in the Western Ghats. In component of the group of species whose distributions are the Western Himalayas where 11 restricted range species largely or wholly confined to one biome. are listed, four are globally threatened. Thirty-three IBAs Ninety-nine IBAs have been identified using this have been identified in the Western Himalayas. The number criterion. The range of each biome and maps were provided of restricted range species, threatened species and EBAs/ by the BirdLife International. The status of the IBAs in the SAs are given below. Biome categories are given in the following table.

A3: Biome Restricted Assemblage A4: Congregatory species This category applies to groups of species with largely Nearly 150 IBAs were identified using the congregatory shared distributions of greater that 50,000 sq. km, which criteria. The A4i criterion talks about the ≥ 1% of a ASAD R. RAHMANI The numbers of vultures of Gyps species in India has crashed by 98% in the last 20 years. This is chiefly due to the introduction of drug Diclofenac for veterinary use

49 Important Bird and BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – NATIONAL OVERVIEW

Number of IBAs qualifying different congregatory criteria A4

biogeographic population of a congregatory waterbird IBAs in different habitat types species. Eighty-eight IBAs have been identified using the Champion and Seth (1968) have classified India’s updated threshold list published in 2002 by the Wetlands vegetation into seven major groups, 16 sub-groups and International (Wetlands International 2002). A4ii is about over 150 sub-types and seral stages. This classification, by ≥ 1% of the global population of a congregatory seabird or far, takes physiognomy, floristics as well as local edaphic terrestrial species; five IBAs have been identified using this and biotic factors into classification hence widely used by criteria, e.g. Habang in Assam and Velavadar in Gujarat. foresters as well as ecologists. Description of wildlife habitats, A4iii is about the presence of ≥ 20,000 waterbirds; 105 sites including major biomes and Important Bird Areas (IBAs) qualify this criteria. The A4iv is about the site exceeding the can best be done using Champion and Seth’s categories. thresholds set for migratory species at bottleneck sites. In However, as this book deals with birds and Important Bird India, only five IBAs were selected under this criteria. Areas, we have not gone into details of vegetation types ASAD R. RAHMANI Many wetlands in India, such has Sheikha Jheel in north India, are important wintering sites for congregatory species where more than 20,000 waterbirds congregate

50 Important Bird and BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – NATIONAL OVERVIEW

51 Important Bird and BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – NATIONAL OVERVIEW

52 Important Bird and BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – NATIONAL OVERVIEW

Number of IBAs qualifying different Ramsar criteria of India, and for our analysis, we have categorized India’s unit. A biome such as Littoral Forest, Tropical Swamp vegetation into eight general broad habitat categories, which Forest, Dry Grasslands or Riverine Habitats could be found are (1) Alpine Forest; (2) Sub-Alpine Forest; (3) Temperate in several biogeographic zones or provinces. Biome can be Forest; (4) Evergreen Forest; (5) Deciduous Forest; (6) equated to Champion and Seth’s broad forest vegetation Grassland; (7) Wetland and (8) Desert. types, with the addition of non-forest categories such as Forest is the foremost habitat for threatened and other grassland, wetland etc. (Rodgers et al. 2000). categories of IBAs in India, grasslands are very important As per BirdLife International, biome is defined as “a for some of the most endangered birds such as the Great major regional ecological community, characterised by Indian Bustard, Bengal Florican and the Lesser Florican, distinctive life forms and principal plant species”. No system and wetlands are important for 29 globally threatened and of global biome classification has been found which can be many common waterbirds. adequately used as a basis for generating bird species lists. Out of the 554 IBAs in India, the foremost category where Therefore, it is necessary that we should have a regional the IBAs are distributed is Wetland with 27% IBAs. This approach, which may result in inter-regional differences but is followed by Evergreen Forest (23%), Deciduous Forests at the over all scale at which biome division are recognised (21%), Temperate Forests (11%), Grasslands (10%), Desert may be comparable. The biome category applies to groups (7%), Alpine Forests (4%) and Sub-Alpine Forests (3%). of species with largely shared distributions of greater that 50,000 sq. km, which occur mostly or wholly within all IBAs and Biogeographic Zones or part of a particular biome and are, therefore, of global The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) had produced a importance. document in 1988 by W. Alan Rodgers and H. S. Panwar The following figure gives the details of ten biogeographic which defined the biogeographic zones of India for planning a zones of India defined by Rodgers et al. (2000) and the protected area network. This document was updated in 2000 number of IBAs in each zone. (Rodgers et al. 2000). The WII classification uses four levels The maximum number of IBAs (81 sites) are distributed of planning unit which are as follows: (1) The Biogeographic in the Deccan Peninsula while the Himalaya and the North Zone; (2) The Biotic Province; (3) The Land Region; and (4) East biogeographic zones have same number of IBAs, i.e., 80 The Biome. sites each, followed by the Western Ghats, the Semi-Arid, We have used only the biogeographic zones which are large the Gangetic Plains, the Coasts, the Islands, the Trans- distinctive units of similar ecology, biome representation, Himalayas and the Indian Desert. community and species e.g., Himalayas, Western Ghats, Coasts etc. Rodger and Panwar (1988) had identified 10 Protection Status of IBAs in different States in biogeographic zones, divided into 26 provinces and many India biomes. The biome definition should not be confused with the In India, 465 IBAs have been identified using international BirdLife International’s definition of biome.As per Rodgers et criteria. The maximum number of IBAs are in Assam i.e., al. (2000), a biome is an ecological unit, not a biogeographic 46 of which 28 are not officially protected, while Delhi and

53 Important Bird and BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – NATIONAL OVERVIEW

Protection Status of IBAs in India CR: Conservation Reserve, NOP: Not officially protected, NP: National Park, RF: Reserve Forest, TR: Tiger Reserve, WLS: Wildlife Sanctuary

Key threats to the IBAs in India

54 Important Bird and BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – NATIONAL OVERVIEW

List of IBAs in Danger

Sr. State IBA Name IBA code Main Threats Tillanchong WLS, Camorta, Katchal, 1 Andaman & Nicobar IN-AN-19 Navy activities. Unsustainable hunting Nancowry, Trinkat 2 Andhra Pradesh Kolleru Lake WLS IN-AP-04 Proposal to decrease the area

3 Andhra Pradesh Rollapudu WLS IN-AP-11 Trigger species extinct

4 Andhra Pradesh Sri Lankamalleswara WLS IN-AP-12 Trigger species extinct (?)

5 Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar WLS IN-AP-08 Proposal to decrease the area

6 Arunachal Pradesh The Chaporis of Lohit River IN-AP-25 Impact of large dams upstream

7 Assam Bauwwa Beel IN-AS-04 Encroachment, excessive Fishing

8 Assam Deobali Jalan IN-AS-11 Encroachment, over-grazing

9 Assam Jengdia Beel and Satgoan IN-AS-23 Encroachment

10 Assam Sivasagar Tanks IN-AS-38 Increasing construction activities

11 Assam Son Beel IN-AS-39 Encroachment, excessive fishing

12 Assam Urpod Beel IN-AS-46 Encroachment, excessive fishing Goga Beel Pakshi Vihar, Baghar Beel, and 13 Bihar IN-BR-03 Encroachment, excessive fishing Baldia Chaur 14 Bihar Kawar Lake Bird Sanctuary IN-BR-04 Encroachment, excessive fishing

15 Bihar Nagi Dam and Nagti Dam Bird Sanctuary IN-BR-08 Encroachment, excessive fishing

16 Gujarat Flamingo City IN-GJ-04 Infrastructure development

17 Haryana Basai wetland IN-HR-01 Land development

18 Haryana Wetlands of Yamuna River IN-HR-05 Land development

19 Karnataka Ranebennur Blackbuck Sanctuary IN-KA-30 Trigger species extinct Dihaila Jheel and Karera Wildlife Encroachment. 20 Madhya Pradesh IN-MP-05 Sanctuary Trigger species extinct 21 Madhya Pradesh Ghatigaon WLS IN-MP-07 Trigger species extinct

22 Madhya Pradesh Sailana Kharmor Sanctuary IN-MP-15 Cattle grazing, agriculture

23 Madhya Pradesh Sardarpur Florican Sanctuary IN-MP-16 Cattle grazing, agriculture

24 Maharashtra Nannaj and other Grasslands IN-MH-06 Trigger species ecologically extinct

25 Maharashtra Mahul-Sewree Mudflat IN-MH-08 Infrastructure development

26 Maharashtra Ozar, Wani and adjoining grasslands IN-MH-13 Trigger species extinct

27 Rajasthan Diyatra IN-RJ-04 Trigger species ecologically extinct, hunting

28 Rajasthan Sonkhaliaya IN-RJ-21 One trigger species extinct

29 Uttar Pradesh Bakhira WLS IN-UP-01 Massive encroachment

30 Uttar Pradesh Parvati-Aranga WLS IN-UP-13 Encroachment, excessive fishing

31 Uttar Pradesh Pyagpur and Sitadwar IN-UP-15 Encroachment, excessive fishing

32 Uttar Pradesh Surha Taal IN-UP-25 Encroachment, excessive fishing

Lakshadweep have just one IBA each. For the protection main causes of extinction are habitat loss and habitat point of view, IBAs have been categorized into four, viz., degradation. The foremost key threat to the Indian IBAs wildlife sanctuary, national park, tiger reserve and not is the human-settlement and encroachment because with officially protected. The ‘not officially protected’ category more than a billion people in the country, pressure on land consists of forest reserves, community reserve forests, is immense. Agricultural intensification is also a serious community protected areas and so on. threat affecting the IBAs, especially in the north Indian Out of 465 IBAs in India, 191 are wildlife sanctuaries, states such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh or those 52 are national parks, 23 are tiger reserves, while 199 are states where the Green Revolution was started. Agricultural not officially protected. intensification results in excessive use of chemicals, changes in crop pattern, loss of habitat, effects of pest control on THREATS TO IBAs non-target species and so on. Deforestation has been the key One bird in eight in the world could join the extinction issue in the Andaman Islands because of human population list in the next century (BirdLife International 2000). The on some of the larger islands has grown rapidly due to the

55 Important Bird and BIODIVERSITY Areas in India – NATIONAL OVERVIEW

settlement of people from mainland India. Remaining forest conservation). A large number of IBAs in the Northeast are is consequently under severe pressure from agriculture and impacted/likely to be impacted by large dams due to a range grazing, with habitat loss and degradation from logging of issues: submergence, downstream impacts, pressures being another major threat to wildlife (Whitaker 1985, on forests due to labour involved in construction etc. A few Sinha 1992). examples are D’Ering Memorial Sanctuary, Talley Valley In the northeastern states of the Eastern Himalayas, the and Pakke sanctuaries in Arunachal Pradesh; Ripu Chirang, shifting cultivation (jhum) in the subtropical and temperate Subansiri, Chandubi Beel in Assam; Kailam Wildlife forests in the mountains can be sustainable if practiced Sanctuary and Loktak Lake in Manipur; and Dzukou Valley on a small scale using clearing cycles of 15-20 years, but in Nagaland. in many areas increased human population pressure In the Western Himalayas, habitat is being lost at has led to a rapid reduction in this cycle, for example in important sites because of development projects such as Meghalaya, where shifting cultivation resulted in the loss roads and dams. Such projects adversely affects the habitats of large areas of forest and severe soil erosion (Stattersfield of some of the globally threatened species of this region such et al. 1998, Katti et al. 1992). As per our analysis, as the Western Tragopan Tragopan melanocephalus, Cheer 321 IBAs are affected by agricultural intensification Pheasant Catreus wallichi, Himalayan Quail Ophrysia and expansion. superciliosa, and Kashmir Flycatcher Ficedula subrubra. The Assam Plains have a huge and rapidly growing human The habitats of these birds are now much reduced and population as a result of which very little natural habitat fragmented, and the Himalayan Quail may already be is left. This habitat is now much reduced in area and also extinct. Overall 57 IBAs are directly affected by the dam severely fragmented (Rahmani 1988). Nonetheless, small projects in the country. relict patches of tall wet grasslands are left in Kaziranga, Overgrazing is another major problems all over the Orang, Pabitora, Dibru-Saikhowa and Laokhowa. Two country, but especially in the grassland IBAs. Overgrazing of the three restricted range species of the Assam Plains causes adverse impacts on the habitats of grassland are under severe threat, with one, Manipur Bush Quail inhabiting birds such as the Lesser Florican Sypheotides Perdicula manipurensis, has not been seen since 1932. The indica, the Great Indian Bustard Ardeotis nigriceps, the second threatened species is the Black-breasted Parrotbill Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis, larks, pipits Paradoxornis flavirostris. We have recent sight records of and many others. The grazing policy in India is not very this species from some IBAs. The third species of the Assam strong and even in many protected areas, illegal grazing Plains Endemic Bird Area is the Marsh Babbler Pellorneum is seen. palustre. It is perhaps doing slightly better as it is found in We have identified 26 major threats to IBAs and to moderately disturbed grasslands also. threatened species. The major threats to 321 IBAs is Many of the IBAs will be badly affected by the dams of agricultural intensification and expansion, which is the hydroelectric projects planned or being executed presently most serious threat affecting the IBAs in India. Excessive in India, especially in the northeastern states (see IBAs in use of chemicals, changes in crop species or cultivation, loss Northeast India: Threats to habitats and opportunities for of habitat, effects of pest control on non-target.

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